Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has cautiously welcomed the recent improvement works and progress on delivering the new school buildings at Moville Community College.
In a response received from the Minister for Education, Joe McHugh by Senator Mac Lochlainn, it has been confirmed that Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB), who are tasked with managing the new school buildings project, has appointed a new architect to complete the delivery of the extension project.
This architect will now work with the existing design team to finalise the Stage 2A process prior to lodging planning permission, which is still expected to take place in September/October.
The Minister has also confirmed that permission has been given by his Department for a series of works, which included surveys of the existing main building to investigate issues with it, refurbishment works on the existing temporary accommodation on site, and works to address disabled access issues. These works were carried out over the summer months and, aside from a small number of surveys, are now completed.
Senator Mac Lochlainn said the public meeting at Moville Community College back in May of this year was a powerful and passionate challenge to Minister Joe McHugh and his department officials.
He added “The message from the teachers, parents and students was loud and clear; that everybody had had enough of the long delays and procrastination and that while the standards of education at the school were first class, the working environment for teachers and students, due to the delapidated and limited facilities was intolerable”.
“I cautiously welcome this update from the Minister and his officials. It appears that the message from the public meeting is getting through but after years of delays, I nor the local community in North East Inishowen will be complacent”.
