Shock and devastation as plans for school expansion are reversed after new lands were already bought
There is deep concern and disappointment for the school community of Scoil Gharbháin, Dungarvan, as the Department of Education has unexpectedly announced that a previously agreed upon extension to the school is to be significantly reduced in scale.
The news comes after the school had already purchased a site specifically designed to accommodate the original expansion plans.
In November 2024 the Department of Education formally offered and agreed a school building project consisting of four mainstream classrooms, two Special Educational Needs (SEN) classrooms, and three Special Education Tuition rooms for Scoil Gharbháin.
These plans were expected in good faith by the school’s Board of Management, leading to the purchase of a site specifically designed to accommodate the nine-room development.
The school subsequently agreed in December 2025 to alter the project to a modular build in order to accelerate delivery and assist the Department.
The Department has now reneged on this agreed project and reduced the allocation to only one mainstream classroom and two SEN classrooms.
The school is already operating significantly beyond capacity, with one class being taught in the school sports hall and two classes accommodated in rented prefabs at a reported annual cost of approximately €56,000.
It is understood that representatives from the school will be meeting with officials from The Department of Education, along with Ministers Mary Butler and John Cummins this week.
Representatives from the Dungarvan area have expressed considerable shock and disbelief at the Department’s decision.
During a meeting of the Dungarvan-Lismore Electoral District this week, councillors passed a motion calling on Minister for Education and the Department of Education to immediately reverse their decision and honour in full the classroom allocation previously agreed with the school authorities.
Cllr Kate O’Mahoney said the Department’s decision is “extremely concerning and an absolute disgrace.”
She added that the move is a “huge slap in the face for school staff, parents and pupils.”
Cllr Damien Geoghegan, who serves as a member on the school’s Board of Management, said Scoil Gharbháin have had “the rug pulled out from under them.”
Cllr Thomas Phelan said he was “dumbfounded and flabbergasted” to learn that the Department were reneging their decision.
He added that the expansion is vital, with the school located in an area of considerable population growth and 155 houses being developed just moments away.
Cllr Tom Cronin said he is confident that the Department's decision will be overturned.
“If not, it will be shocking” he said.
(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
