The 25-year wait for a permanent school building at Gaelcholáiste Reachrann is nearly over.
In the Dáil last week, Dublin Bay North TDs Barry Heneghan and Cian O’Callaghan pressed the Department of the Taoiseach about why the previously cited September deadline slipped.
The Taoiseach’s Department confirmed that the tender process is undergoing its final review, and construction could now begin as soon as early 2027.
Social Democrats TD O’Callaghan outlined the timetable in the Dáil this week, saying that the Minister for Education promised that construction would begin in quarter 2 of this year.
“Then the promise was quarter 3 of this year. That passed. Construction did not start. Then the promise was quarter 4 of this year. That commitment now is being reneged on, and the Department of Education is saying it will be sometime in the coming months,” he said.
“When will construction start on the permanent school buildings promised to the school community in Gaelchólaiste Reachrann? When will that begin?” he asked the Taoiseach.
Independent TD Heneghan said that Irish language schools needed to be supported.
“This school has been waiting 25 years for a permanent building; I made Gaelcholáiste Reachrann a priority from day one, including in my very first meeting with the Taoiseach following my election,” Heneghan said.
The Department confirmed that outstanding queries are expected to be addressed within approximately two weeks, and final funding approval is being sought from the Department of Public Expenditure.
The Department further said that the construction contract is targeted for award by the end of November and that construction could commence in early 2027, depending on the appointed contractor’s mobilisation plans.
Heneghan welcomed the progress, saying “this is a welcome step forward. We now have a target date for awarding the construction contract, and I’ll continue pushing until we have a confirmed start date and builders on site.”
“I want to see shovels in the ground as soon as possible but understand that the Christmas period may delay this, but I would like to see at least see a start of site marking before Christmas with the site,” he said.