*Cllr John Crowe (inset) has called for efforts be made for a new secondary school in Sixmilebridge to serve the community and surrounding areas
CLARE County Council is to contact the Minister for Education over calls for a new secondary school to be established in Sixmilebridge.
A notice of motion from Cllr John Crowe (FG) at the September meeting of the Shannon Municipal District called on the council to support the parish of Sixmilebridge and surrounding areas in their efforts to secure a new secondary-level school for the town.
Cllr Crowe also called on the council to contact Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton TD to highlight what he described as Sixmilebridge’s suitability for a new school, including the availability of suitable infrastructure and an “ideal site”.
He said current and projected school-going population figures strongly supported the need for a new secondary school in the town.
In a written response, Senior Executive Officer with Shannon MD Suzie Clifford said the need for education services is considered by the council’s Planning Department when preparing and adopting the County Development Plan.
This takes account of population trends, settlement patterns, projected growth and other relevant planning and economic considerations within the council’s Economic Directorate.
Separately, Ms Clifford confirmed that the Shannon Municipal District office would forward Cllr Crowe’s request to the Minister for Education.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Crowe said: “I seem to be coming from a place where there is nothing but problems at the moment,” referring to the number of motions concerning Sixmilebridge on the agenda.
He said there were around 1,200 primary school pupils in the area who would progress to secondary school as they got older.
“Every class is full in the Shannon areas,” he said, adding: “Now is the time to push for a secondary school.”
Cllr Crowe said the area had come “fairly close” to securing a secondary school a number of years ago.
He argued that the need had since grown, pointing to population growth in the area and the number of children attending primary schools in Sixmilebridge and surrounding areas.
Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG), who seconded the motion, said there was “no room in the schools in Shannon” and highlighted the traffic limitations associated with the existing schools.
He also raised the need for secondary schools to accommodate pupils with special educational needs.
Referring to Census figures and the number of special needs classes at primary level, Cllr Mulcahy questioned where those pupils would go when they reached secondary school.
“It’s a disaster situation for 12 to 18-year-olds accessing schools if they need it,” he said.
Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) also supported the motion, saying he had heard the need for a secondary school in Sixmilebridge raised during the Irish Open to Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Killeen (FF).
He pointed to the growth of nearby Cratloe, where he said around 275 pupils attend the national school, with children currently having to travel to Shannon or Limerick for secondary education.
“If Sixmilebridge had one, it’s only a short spin over the road,” he said.
Cllr O’Gorman said houses were being built and children were moving into the area, adding: “If not done now, putting it in after the fact — it’s now we need it.”
Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Shannon MD Cllr David Griffin (FF) also supported the motion, saying Cllr Crowe had done “a lot of work on the ground” to identify possible sites.
“We can’t cram too many children into two schools in Shannon,” he said, calling for work on the proposal to “get going as soon as possible”.
In his concluding remarks, Cllr Crowe said up to 500 pupils could be attending the national school in Sixmilebridge over the coming years.
He said a petition had gathered 700 signatures, adding that people were now recognising the “seriousness” of the issue.
“We need to push and get it over the line,” he said.
Shannon MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Begley (IND) also supported the motion and said some work had already been carried out on the issue.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
