Answers are sought about Limerick school delay

A LABOUR party councillor has raised questions over continued delays to a new Limerick school in her area.

Elena Secas says parents of children at Monaleen National School are really disappointed at a lack of progress on the construction of the education facility to the east of the city.

Funding for the new school was granted eight years ago when former Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan was in post as Education Minister.

A company was expected to be appointed to build the school in the spring, with a tender process commencing.

However, it’s now autumn and nothing has happened.

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Councillor Secas and a number of other members of the local authority resolved to write to current Education Minister Norma Foley for an update.

“It was expected earlier this year that the new school build would go to tender shortly. However, this has not happened to-date as the Department of Education are still to approve the Stage 2b Report submitted to them in December last year, which will allow the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) to proceed to tender for the appointment of the contractor,” Cllr Secas explained.

Despite the letter to Minister Foley, Cllr Secas says all she has received from her office is an acknowledgement.

“It's such a pity that Minister Foley was in Limerick, and even came to Annacotty in the past week and did not pay a visit to Monaleen National School to see and hear from children themselves what it means to attend most of their primary school years in prefabs,” said the City East member.

She called on Minister Foley and her department to “get their act together” and ensure construction of it begins.