Green light for Breifne extension project to proceed to planning

CAVAN Monaghan ETB has just been given the go-ahead to apply for planning permission for the much-needed extension to Breifne College.

Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) was just informed of the development today (Tuesday) and confirmed the progress to The Anglo-Celt .

“The extended facilities will be provided at the earliest possible date and will enhance considerably the range of classroom accommodation available in this school,” said the Fianna Fáil deputy.

Just last week, Deputy Smith pressed a government junior minister in the Dáil on the delays with the Breifne College extension.

As far back as November 2021, the Department promised the secondary school new classrooms, four special needs classrooms, science labs, and purpose-built art, technology and engineering classrooms.

Four years later, Breifne College and CMETB was still waiting to submit a planning permission application to start building work.

In June 2024, CMETB submitted the documents the detailed design stage (stage 2a) of the planning process.

“This documentation has been under consideration by the Department for the past 12 months now,” Deputy Smith told Minister of State at the Department of Housing and Local Government, Christopher O’Sullivan in the Dáil last week.

“It is essential the Department issue, without further delay, approval for this stage, which, will then enable CMETB to seek planning permission,” Deputy Smith insisted.

“I cannot emphasise enough how much Breifne College needs this accommodation,” he added.

The Cavan TD said the present level of accommodation is “very inadequate to meet school needs” and told the minister the current situation at Breifne College caused one parent recently to describe the school as “packed”.

He said teachers are particularly anxious to have the classrooms promised for their pupils with additional needs.

He also praised Breifne College for its proud history of offering what is referred to as the “practical subjects” like engineering, construction, computer studies and technology and these subjects require specialist classrooms to deliver the curricula.

Minister O’Sullivan accepted approval had been a “long time”.

“I will certainly bring that back to the Department,” he told Deputy Smith.

He explained that Department officials are reviewing the project from a technical and cost perspective.

“Managing the timing, scope and cost is crucial for staying within budgetary limits of the overall programme,” Minister O’Sullivan said. He added: “Once the stage 2a report review is concluded, the Department will be in contact with CMETB to advise on how best to progress this important project.”

The Minister agreed it is an “exciting” and “incredible” project.

Less than a week after the Dáil discussion, the Department of Education gave its approval to CMETB to move to the planning stage.

The next step is to lodge an application for planning permission with Cavan County Council for consideration.