Fast-tracking of new Galway schools sought

The Minister for Education is being called upon to fast-track the provision of new primary and secondary schools on the rapidly developing eastern suburbs of Galway city.

Cllr Michael Leahy wants Ms Hanafin to copperfasten plans to build a new primary and secondary school on a council-owned site in Doughiska and to examine the future educational needs of the east side of the city over the next 20 years.

In a notice of motion which he has put before the city council, Cllr Leahy states: "Recognising the rapid population growth in the eastern suburbs, the imbalance of second-level educational facilities in the city and projected developments of the Ardaun corridor, the council should seek an urgent meeting with the Minister for Education to expedite provision of primary- and secondary-level educational facilities at Doughiska."

While a large site has been bought by the council at Doughiska and earmarked for the development of a primary and secondary school, the Department of Education has not yet expressed any interest in the site.

Cllr Leahy pointed out that any potential site would need to be large enough to cater for the huge population growth of the eastern suburbs over the next few years.

As well as the projected population of 18,000 people along the Ardaun corridor, the councillor said, there were in addition new developments in Murrough, Briarhill and Ballybane.