Planning Permission For New Building At Blessington Community College Due For Submission

Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Education that the planning permission for Blessington Community College's new build should be submitted by end of September.

Deputy Whitmore said:

“As a result of a Parliamentary Question I submitted to her office, Minister Norma Foley has confirmed the she expects  the revised planning application for Blessington Community College to be lodged within the next few weeks. This application, which will be coming from the Kildare Wicklow Education Training board, is being submitted to reflect the increase to a 1000 pupil school with six SEN classes.

“This is very welcome news for the school community in Blessington. Blessington Community College is the only secondary school in Blessington, and its enrolment is predicted to be 900 by September 2027. The growth is based on actual figures from the 11 feeder schools in the area.

“It is clear that the area is need of a 1000-pupil school, and this recent progress is welcome. Currently, the school is a labyrinth of Portacabins that have been added on over the years as the school has grown, so a permanent, purpose-built premises will be very welcome.

“However, in the meantime, there is the continued need to see the temporary modular accommodation put in place. Whilst, the student intake for September 2023 has been accommodated, the promised modular accommodation is urgently needed to ensure a comfortable education  experience for the students.

I have worked closely with the Parents Association and the school community to raise the concerns of Blessington Community College numerous times, including with the Minister in the Dáil chamber. I will continue to work with the parents, staff and the principal of Blessington Community College to see this school and the interim temporary accommodation delivered as quickly as possible.”

Deirdre McCormack, Social Democrats Local Area Representative for West Wicklow, commented “this is very positive news to start the new school year with. Parents and students had been concerned about when they were going to see progress for the development of the much needed 1000 student school. Once the planning permission is submitted our community should have a timeline and an idea of when our new school will be delivered. In the meantime we will continue to work with the school community to ensure the speedy delivery of the additional temporary classrooms.”