Lucan Community College parents and residents urged to keep pressure on
By Maurice Garvey
PLANS for an extension at Lucan Community College are moving slightly forward – but facilitators are urging parents and residents to keep the pressure on authorities to ensure the project meets its deadline, reports Maurice Garvey.
The Department of Education have approved a revised schedule of accommodation to complete stage 2A of planning process.
Lucan Community College are included in the Department’s Five Year Construction Programme (2012-2016) – a €2.2 billion capital investment for new building projects at 275 schools around the country.
Paperwork delays have led to concerns that the project will not be ready in time for the proposed completion date September 2018.
The school have 885 pupils but are turning down half of the students that apply in recent years due to lack of space.
Lucan CC Principal Diane Birnie said: “Whilst the Department has expressed confidence that it is still possible to meet the schedule, it is more important than ever, that ongoing pressure is exerted to ensure the deadline is realised.”
Upon successful completion of Stage 2A , the project will progress to Stage 2B – and upon completion of that, it will progress to tender and construction.
The Department previously stated a definitive timeframe is not possible until planning has been secured and the project has progressed to tender stage.
Principal Birnie praised the “hard work” of the parents’ association and board of management in “raising awareness.”
She said: “We are turning down half that apply every year. Kids expect to come to us and we don’t want to turn them away. Finance is not an issue here.
“It will be fantastic once it is done. The school is in need of refurbishment and new facilities.”
