Investors sought for Doughiska school

Date Published: 16-Oct-2009

The Department of Education is facing the task of finding a private investor to back their plans for a new primary and a secondary school in Doughiska, after Galway City Council granted planning approval in principle this week.

The schools – which will serve 1,100 local pupils – are planned to be on a 5.5 acre site adjacent to Túr Uisce and Coill Tire estates.

However, despite the grant of outline planning permission, the Department now have to find an investor to take on the project against the backdrop of severely restricted bank lending and the recession.

Fianna Fail Deputy Frank Fahey said the schools could be open in three years.However, the Government also face criticisms from the Opposition, that progressing with the plans as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project would be “mortgaging children’s educations” for 25 years.

The Department were granted outline planning permission for a 450-place two-storey primary school, measuring 2,300 square metres and a 650-space secondary school in two and three storeys measuring 5,050 sq.m. and also containing playing courts and a PE Hall, parking and bus set-down areas.

However, the application is only for approval in principle of two schools to service Doughiska, Ardaun and Roscam on the 5.5 acre site adjacent to the Túr Uisce and Coill Tire estates.

The Department have admitted that the application is purely an attempt to make the proposals more ‘saleable’ to private investors.

If …