An artist's impression of the Virginia College development.

No local school projects delayed

It’s hoped plans for a major new extension at Virginia College will be lodged with the Department of Education before the end of the month.

Work is continuing on the detailed design stage of the project.

Nine new classrooms, four special education rooms, three science labs and two prep rooms are planned for the well-known and popular east Cavan school.

In an update to CMETB board members, Berni Power, Director of Operational Services and Developments, said she was hopeful the plans could be completed and sent to the Department for approval in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, a major new development at Cavan Town’s Breifne College has been delayed after “a change of request with the Department”.

Four general classrooms, seven SET rooms, a two classroom SEN base, three science labs and two prep rooms, two engineering rooms, two tech rooms and two prep rooms, a graphics room, art room, textiles room, five project store and ancillary office space are planned for the congested site on the Cootehill road.

However, temporary modular accommodation is expected to be open to students in the first three months of 2023, with contractors already working on site.

Coláiste Dún na Rí

Early designs for Coláiste Dún na Rí’s new extension are also being worked on. That project will see a doubling of capacity at the school, which only opened its doors six years ago.

Ms Power also said there have been no issues meeting rising costs on ongoing projects.

“The Department [of Education] has been very good in acknowledging increases. We forward requests to the Department for sanction. No project is being held up because of costs.”

She also said none of the ongoing projects have been delayed due to shortages of construction materials around the world as the majority of the local work is still at design stage.