Tipperary ETB says it 'feels it's necessary to clarify details' surrounding school plans

Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) has issued a statement in which it says that it has noted media commentary regarding the future provision of post-primary education at Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed in Thurles.

"We feel it is necessary to clarify some details about recent discussions with the Department of Education," they said.

They confirmed that Tipperary ETB was in negotiations with the Department on the school’s accommodation requirements into the future. This was in light of continued growth in school enrolments at its Thurles post-primary school, with a rise from 332 students enrolled in 2018 to 530 in September 2023.

"As part of ongoing discussions with the Department about accommodation provision for our growing student base in Thurles, we received a letter from the Department on August 29. This letter outlined the Department’s plan to meet the school’s accommodation requirements based on an increased long-term projected enrolment of 750 pupils. This is a significant development which we believe will benefit the young people of Thurles and surrounding areas for many decades to come.

"The correspondence also outlined the Department’s proposal for how to meet those accommodation requirements, with the provision of 30 new rooms on the existing site at Castlemeadows, beside Semple Stadium.

"Tipperary ETB welcomes the extensive engagement of the Department on this issue, and we welcome their acceptance of a long-term projected enrolment of 750 pupils. This is a reflection of the leadership and commitment of Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed Principal, Denis Quinn, the dedicated team of staff at the school, its Board of Management, parents, and the Tipperary ETB Board, to the provision of quality co-educational post-primary programmes for students in the town and surrounding areas.

"After receiving the correspondence from the Department on August 29, it was subsequently discussed by the Tipperary ETB Board on Tuesday, September 5, and by the Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed Board of Management on Wednesday, September 6. These discussions took place with a view to finalising our response to the Department. It was not our original intention to make any public statement until we had finalised our response to the Department.

"In light of increased maintenance issues at the current 42-year-old school building, and limited space for future expansion at the site, the Tipperary ETB Board unanimously agreed at its board meeting on Tuesday that “a new school building at a greenfield site in Thurles best suits the needs of the school students and staff into the future".

"Preliminary discussions have already taken place with Mary Immaculate College in Thurles regarding the acquisition of a site on its campus.

"Tipperary ETB is hugely appreciative of the work of all Tipperary Oireachtas members in promoting Tipperary ETB projects. In particular, we acknowledge the contribution of Michael Lowry, TD, who raised the issue of Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed’s accommodation requirements in Dáil Éireann with an Taoiseach Michéal Martin in Leader’s Questions on November 23, 2022.

"As we continue to engage with the Department of Education, Tipperary ETB does not believe it is appropriate to make any further comment about these discussions at this time," the statement said.