A delegation from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré in Sligo held a "constructive" meeting with Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton on their calls for a new building.
The meeting in Leinster House discussed the school's ongoing concerns regarding the school’s accommodation and calls for a new permanent school building.
The Gaelscoil, founded in 1996, caters for more than 200 students on the site of St Mary’s GAA Club and it is the only Gaelscoil in the county.
In a statement, Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré said the delegation outlined the effects of repeated delays and subsequent pressures facing the school community, citing inadequate space, aging facilities and impacts on teaching and learning.
The school said Minister Naughton confirmed the Department of Education and Youth will engage with the school to progress emergency works to improve existing classrooms as an interim measure.
The Department of Education's construction programme includes plans for a new-12 classroom primary school with additional classrooms for pupils with special additional needs on a greenfield site.
The project is part of the ADAPT Programme that aims to expedite the delivery of schools in leased accommodation; however, the school has expressed frustration with the pace of progress.
The school received confirmation that it remains included in the ADAPT Programme and retains its status at Stage 2A - Architectural Planning and Design Development.
The delegation emphasised the urgency of securing Stage 2A approval which would in turn enable progression to Stage 2B of the programme - architectural design.
The school previously said had the ADAPT target been reached; construction would have started last July, however, a planning application has yet to be submitted.
The Minister committed to continued engagement with the school and advised she will seek to visit Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré to view the challenges first hand.
The Gaelscoil delegation included Chairperson Bartley Ó Gabháin, Principal Liz Nic Searraigh and former Principal Mícheál Ó Broin who met with Minister Naughton and Department officials in a meeting facilitated by local TDs.
The school is one of a number in the north west awaiting new accommodation.
Saint Eunan's College in Letterkenny, Co Donegal caters for around 1,000 students from Letterkenny and the wider region.
It has been critical of the Department of Education decision to exclude it from the Department’s priority list for major building projects over the next two years.
The all-boys post-primary school received planning permission in 2022 for a major two-storey extension, including 37 general classrooms, 20 specialist teaching rooms and more facilities.
The school said the need for the planned development has not diminished, given a continued pressure of an increasing enrolment.
A Department spokesperson previously said the project is part of the ADAPT Programme that aims to achieve the best possible timeframe for projects.
Saint Eunan’s College previously said despite delivering high-quality education for decades, the state has failed to provide a fit-for-purpose building.
Meanwhile, Ursuline College in Sligo town, an all-girls Catholic voluntary secondary school, celebrating its 175th anniversary, is also awaiting major works.
The Department approved a major redevelopment more than a decade ago.
The project includes an extension and refurbishment which will provide for a 750-pupil post primary school building.
A pre-tender process has been completed. Planning permission granted is due to expire in June 2027.
Three weeks ago, the Ursuline College’s Student Council met with local representatives in the Dáil and presented the Minister Naughton with a petition, calling for progress.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education previously said the project for the Ursuline College is currently at Stage 2 (b) - architectural design.
In late January, the Department for Education and Youth published a list of 105 school building projects that will be built or proceed to tender stage within the next two years.
The 105 projects announced on 28 January are set to deliver more than 27,000 additional school places, involving an overall investment of €1.6 billion.
The Department’s Sectoral Plan for 2026–2027 will also see the completion of 300 school projects currently under construction.
The Department has said there is a strong focus in NDP Plan on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
