As the new Board of Management of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway, held its first meeting in the headquarters of Co Galway VEC Athenry on Monday March 4th, it was told that a decision on planning for the new interim facility at Claregalway Corporate Park is imminent.
CEO of Co Galway VEC Joe McDonagh thanked the members for accepting their nominations to the board and complimented all involved. He congratulated the local community representatives, Dr Paddy Tobin and Michael Hannon, and the Claregalway Post Primary School Action Group on “their outstanding contribution to the realisation of their dream” of providing a second level school for Claregalway and the surrounding area.
He also thanked the VEC Task Group for their “meticulous preparations” for the establishment of the school. The board elected Pat Gilmore, Chairman of Co Galway VEC, as Chairman of the Board of Management and he stated it was a great honour for him to accept the post.
In his first report to the Board of Management, the recently appointed principal, Alan Mongey confirmed that 157 boys and girls had now enrolled as first year students in the school for the academic year 2013–14. He said that he was very encouraged by this huge response to the enrolment process.
He also informed the board that additional information requested by the Planning Section in Galway Co Council had been submitted by the Dept of Education and Skills since last Friday March 1st and that a decision on planning was now imminent.
The Board of Management also noted correspondence from the Department of Education and Skills information Co Galway VEC that it would be completing the development of the full facilities in one phase. Initially, the Department had intended to phase the development over three phases in three years.
However, having been notified by Co Galway VEC of the huge enrolment in first year the Department decided to accede to the VEC’s request to develop the total facility in one phase.
A decision in relation to the appointment of a building contractor is imminent and the building programme is expected to be completed within a 20-week time frame.
