Proposal to relocate Gaelscoil an Lonnáin, Belfast turned down
Date published:
Education Minister, Peter Weir, has turned down a proposal for Gaelscoil an Lonnáin to relocate to the former St Comghall’s Primary School, Belfast.
Speaking about his decision, the Minister said:
“There are a number of sustainability and long-term viability issues to be addressed, not only at Gaelscoil an Lonnáin but in relation to Irish-medium primary provision in Belfast generally.
“I consider that the statutory duty in this case will be best served by strategic consideration of the future design of Irish-medium primary provision in the area.
“My officials will liaise with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) and the Education Authority to ensure they work together through the existing area planning governance structures and processes to develop appropriate actions to address the sustainability of Irish-medium primary provision in Belfast.”
Concluding the Minister said:
“I appreciate my decision will be disappointing to the school and those involved with the St Comghall’s regeneration project. However, I am mindful about the appropriateness of government investment in a major regeneration project where Gaelscoil an Lonnáin would be the anchor tenant but where important issues regarding its future sustainability have not yet been addressed.
“For these reasons, I have turned down this proposal.”
Notes to editors:
- On 29 January 2016, the Education Authority (EA) published DP 452 on behalf of the Board of Governors of Gaelscoil an Lonnain. The proposal aimed to relocate Gaelscoil an Lonnain to the former St Comghall’s Primary School (PS) building some 400 yards city bound from its current location at the former St Finian’s PS at 1 September 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. The two month statutory objection period ended on 29 March 2016.
- The former St Comghall’s PS site forms part of a regeneration project to be funded through the Social Investment Fund (managed by The Executive Office and Belfast City Council).
- Media enquiries to the Department of Education’s Communications Team on Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.