More Waiting On The Cards For Tullamore College
Thursday, 1 July 2010
THE long saga of a new school for Tullamore College continued this week when it emerged that it will be another three and a half years before a new school is built.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Edward McEvoy told members of the VEC that if everything goes to plan and there are no delays it will be 2013 before the new 685 pupil school is completed.
‘Three and a half years is absolutely crazy', said member of the VEC Sheila Maloney. Then referring to the number of years since negotiations began on the project she added, '13 years to build a new school is not acceptable'.
Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan Killeavy asked if there was any way to speed up the process. 'There seems to be a lot of red tape.' He said.
Mr Edward McEvoy explained, how an architect had to be chosen, along with a mechanical and electrical engineer, civil and industrial engineers and a quantity surveyor. Then it will go through the planning stage. 'This could slow down the process', he explained.
Sheila Maloney, argued, they had already gone through a schedule of accommodation. 'We know how many rooms are needed'.
Councillor Barry Cowen, said he could understand the frustration, but insisted it had to go through public procurement. 'That's how it is done, we have to go through the planning process, we are all frustrated at the length of time it took. But we have to appoint the best design team,' he added.
Sheila Maloney pointed out that a primary school in Tullamore had been built in two years. 'There are ways and means. Surely it can be fast-tracked' she said.
But Mr Edward McEvoy replied that the primary school in question was a prefabricated building. 'This (Tullamore College) is much more expensive', he explained.
‘You would imagine after 10 years a design would be in place,' said Councillor Killeavy, adding that he wouldn't envisage a problem with the planning process. 'We have been waiting for 13 years for a school from a Fianna Fail Government it's disgraceful,' he said.
‘I suppose if there was not a Fianna Fail Government it would go up in the morning', retorted Fianna Fail Councillor Barry Cowen.
The CEO again stressed that it is a process that has to be gone through and added that fire certificates and disability certificates also had to be acquired.
Labour councillor Lar Byrne questioned if the school would be sufficient to cater for the growing population of Tullamore. Councillor Byrne said the Town Council envisage the population will grow to 45,000 in the next 15 to 30 years. 'Are you providing for an extension for extra pupils', asked Councillor Byrne, who continued by suggesting that the school should perhaps cater for 800 to 1,000 pupils.
However Mr Edward McEvoy said he was only too delighted with the progress so far. 'I don't want to slow down the process,' he concluded.
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