Buckets collecting rain in Carrickmacross school

Update on school building projects

The need for building works at Inver College in Carrickmacross was highlighted at last week's CMETB meeting by board members.

“Further information” is required to consider planning for the proposed building project, members heard in an update given by Director of Organisation, Support and Development, Karen McBride.

Speaking on the project, board member Lorraine Fealy who works at Inver College said the school building, which was built in 1959, can have “ten buckets on the corridors” in the old section at the front of the school when it rains.

“I've been asked to have it noted that there's a real urge for a move on,” she said.

The school project consists of two new SET rooms, one textile room, one music room, one science lab and a prep area. Further information was requested by planners in Monaghan County Council in late January 2025.

Virginia College

The meeting, which took place at CMETB Head Office in Monaghan, also heard updates on other school building projects around the two counties.

The extension to Virginia College has received “full planning”, board members were informed.

That project involves nine new general classrooms, two SET rooms, three science labs, two preparation areas and a four classroom SEN base. The meeting heard that a Fire Safety Cert and a Disability Access Cert were granted in February 2025.

Coláiste Dún a Rí

In Kingscourt, at Coláiste Dún a Rí, planning permission is also in place with a detailed design report “due to be submitted next month”. The deadline for first tenders closed at the end of March.

“The ball can start moving on that so that's very exciting,” Ms McBride said.

The project will include 23 general classrooms, a two classroom SEN base, five SET/pastoral rooms, one multimedia room, one DCG room, three science labs, two prep areas, one home economics room, one art room, one construction studies room, one engineering room, one tech prep room, three project stores, one staff room and one GP/dining room.

Breifne College

Meanwhile, the “large extension” due to take place at Breifne College is “still with” the Department Professional and Technical Team for approval. It includes four general classrooms, seven SET rooms, three science labs/ two prep rooms, two engineering rooms, two tech rooms/ two prep rooms, one graphics room, one art room, one textiles room, five project stores, a two classroom SEN base and ancillary. The project is currently awaiting approval from the Department of Education.

Other projects

At the Royal School Cavan a new PE Hall project feasibility study was issued to the Department last month (March). On the Cavan Institute, FET Campus of the Future project, CMETB is “working well” with SOLAS to “progress to the next stage”.

Councillor Brendan Fay also sought an update on staff toilet issues at St Bricin's College in Belturbet, and was informed that the board has sought an “urgent update” from the Department on the issue, however has yet to receive it.

He also praised the “fantastic work” being carried out on schools around the county.

Praise was also forthcoming from Fianna Fáil's Clifford Kelly who was “delighted” to hear that the Coláiste Dún a Rí project is “moving forward.”