A culturally diverse city needs at least one multi-denominational school, yet Galway has none. It is four years since plans were drawn up for Educate Together's (ET) first venture into post-primary education in tandem with City of Galway VEC.

Pre-enrolment names were gathered - not only from parents of children in the existing ET school at Newcastle (and there is now a second in Claregalway), but from a much wider constituency. Much enthusiasm was generated at several public meetings.

Although much of the potential ET student base was on the westside, a potential site was earmarked at Doughuisce to the east. It seemed a logical option, as the rapidly developing eastern suburb would require at least one new primary and post-primary school.

However, the application approved by the department last year was for a VEC school only. There are conflicting views as to how the Galway ET secondary school committee got left out, and whether ET pre-enrolment numbers were used in the VEC's application.

Mayor of Galway Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green), who was one of ET's committee members, says that negotiations between ET and the VEC are continuing.

ET's head office in Dublin was experiencing its own funding difficulties at the time, and some believe this may have contributed to a breakdown in communications with the VEC. However, ET's chief executive Paul Rowe denies this and says that work is being undertaken at national level on a post-primary business plan.

"There is a recognition that we must move into post-primary if we are to consolidate," Rowe told The Irish Times. "Our big question is where we start - it might not necessarily be in Galway, although there is still a lot to play for with the Doughuisce project, because its ethos still has to be designated."

Rev Patrick Towers, chairman of St Nicholas's Church of Ireland primary school in Woodquay, says that the increasing demand for education among Galway's "new Irish" population must be acknowledged by the State. His Church of Ireland parish recently marked the anniversary of the closure of Galway's grammar school, which ran for 401 years until 1958.

"Faith schools of all denominations have done a fantastic job, but we have to look at the way society is evolving, and so a new grammar school for Galway isn't the answer," Towers says. "Education can actively promote toleration, our society is becoming more pluralistic and multi-cultural, and so we need a school system that can reflect and nurture that."