Planning permission granted for new school at Scoil Íosagáin

Planning permission has been granted by Donegal County Council for a new school for Scoil Íosagáin.

The Buncrana school is the largest in Donegal with over 750 pupils attending.

Permission was granted last Thursday and will ease fears that a new school was further away than ever after it emerged that the Department of Education allowed planning permission to lapse, throwing the rebuild project in doubt.

It is hoped that early next year a contractor will be in place and construction can begin.

Cllr Rena Donaghey said the project will create "much needed work" for locals in Buncrana and Inishowen.

She said: "Scoil Íosagaín is the biggest primary school in Donegal with over 750 pupils attending, including a large number of classes for pupils with Severe and Profound General Learning Disabilities.

"Full planning permission had been in place and a contractor had been given the contract to build a new school but with rising costs there have been a number of delays as two contractors withdrew. This has been deeply disappointing and caused great frustration within the school community.

"The school is over 100 years old and no longer fit for purpose. Tenders were again re-tendered on E-tender, and interest is now shown by a number of contractors applying.”

Cllr Donaghey added: "With planning permission in place, it is hoped that early in the new year a contractor will be in place and construction can begin. I have spoken to the Minister of Education who is eager to see the project start.

"This will provide much needed business and work for locals in Buncrana and Inishowen and with a beautiful state of the art new school it will be conducive to effective teaching and learning by the highly professional staff who work there.”