Several Longford 'school projects left in limbo': Flaherty fiercely critical of capital plan

Senator Joe Flaherty has sharply criticised the Dept of Education’s NDP plan for school projects to commence in Co Longford in 2026-27.

Whilst welcoming the  rapid progress on the amalgamation project for St Mel’s College and Mean Scoil Mhuire in Longford town, which will see work start on an extension at St Mel’s College to facilitate the first intake of students in 2027, several other critical projects have literally been stalled.

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He said: “I worked very hard to achieve and was very proud of the emphasis on education facilities in Co Longford throughout the lifetime of the last government. In total  €43m was invested in capital  projects across our network of schools and this included extensions  and / or  refurbishments for 14 schools and a new build special education school at St Christopher’s.” 

An ambitious commitment to special education under former Minister, Norma Foley, also saw the rollout of 26 special education classes   in the county over the past five years. In addition work on extensions  at Templemichael College and St Michael’s in Longford town are progressing.

The Longford Senator added: “It very disappointing to see a number of key projects left in limbo and at a time when the Minister of Education  has included no  fewer than ten  projects in her own constituency. This is a Fine Gael programme and it has patently failed Co Longford.”

Plans for a major extension at  Mercy Ballymahon were announced in March 2020 and were progressing  and the expectation was that the project would now proceed  to planning. Said the Senator: “It isn’t featured in the two year plan and it is hugely disappointing for the largest school in the county.”

There is a similar setback for St Matthew’s NS, Ballymahon, one of the biggest national schools in the county and where we saw plans for an extension announced last November  and it too has been omitted from the two year plan.

Senator Flaherty said that Ballymahon Vocational School has been one of the most progressive secondary schools in the Midlands over the last number of years  and plans for an extension there were first announced in February 2021. Said the Senator: “It also fails to feature in this two year plan. In effect three major and much needed schools project for one of the fastest growing towns in the country are now in limbo.”

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Senator Flaherty also lamented the lack of progress and commitment for planned extensions for both Moyne Community School and Lanesboro Community College.

He said: “This new plan has overlooked four secondary school projects for Co Longford  and it is deeply disappointing.”