New €8m Roscommon school building gets green light

A new €8m school building with eleven  classrooms has been given the go-ahead to be constructed at St Attracta’s National School in Ballaghaderreen.

Construction is to commence before next summer.

The Department of Education has also sanctioned a general-purpose hall as part of the building project, which will be constructed in three phases and is expected to take two years to complete.

Principal Noel Loftus explained to the Roscommon Herald that a key meeting took place in May, when a high-level delegation from the Department of Education visited the school.

The delegation were told of the urgent need for the new school building, particularly in the context of years of delay.

“I made this point to the Department officials, that Ballaghaderreen had to be looked at in a more compassionate and sympathetic light, given the fact that it has more than stepped up, in terms of welcoming children and families from other jurisdictions,” said Mr Loftus.

“My role in the school is to ensure that the resources are provided for all children, irrespective of where they come from, and, at all times, you push and keep that effort going.”

Children from 26 countries attend the school, which caters for 280 children, which is an increase of more than 25% in the last five years.

Existing staff comprises 14 class teachers and eight teachers in support roles, including for additional languages. Following the completion of the new build, there will be provision for an additional two teachers and for four special-needs assistants.

Mr Loftus described the building project as a masterplan, where the capacity for the school to grow is built in to the design.

The school has a larger footprint to build on, thanks to a land swap between the Mercy Order and Ballaghaderreen GAA club, Mr Loftus said.

“I want to say how thankful the school and our board are for the support given by the local community, especially Ballaghaderreen GAA Club and, most particularly, the late John O’Mahony, who visited the school on two occasions as part of the negotiations with the Mercy Order,” he said.

“John had the foresight and vision to see what was possible and we won’t forget that,” he said.

“The school authorities look forward to recognising the role of Ballaghaderreen GAA Club and the late John O’Mahony, when the new school is built.

“We want to recognise that in a tangible way.”

Mr Loftus added that the school was already looking forward to the sod-turning ceremony for the new school building.

Mr Loftus also thanked local TD Claire Kerrane and local councillor Micheál Frain, for “their continuing support and encouragement”.

The school principal also pointed out that the Department of Education had given the school the green light to repurpose a section of the new school, when it comes on stream, to open up a preschool.

Combined with an after-school club, which has opened up at the school, in partnership with Roscommon Leader, Mr Loftus said that all of these associated services would provide a complete wrapround support for local families in Ballaghaderreen.