Thurles TD Jackie Cahill is calling on the Department of Education to build a new school for Coláiste Mhuire on the grounds of the MIC Campus at St Patrick’s. The MIC Masterplan published earlier this year indicated that MIC had plans to develop student accommodation in the area.
Deputy Cahill’s call comes after confirmation that the Department of Education has approved the school for a base figure of 750 enrolments with the subsequent need for the addition of 30 rooms for the school. This could lead to a major allocation of funds in the future. The TD now wants the Department to consider the feasibility of development on the existing site at Castlemeadows in comparison with a brand-new school on a green field site.
Deputy Cahill paid tribute to the school management saying the very strong leadership at Coláiste Mhuire has seen its enrolment numbers increase massively in recent years – saying with this incredible success has come the need for more space, more buildings and better facilities. The TD also noted that the current building is almost 40 years old and in need of an upgrade. The school is understood to be relocating it’s PLC courses to another location in Thurles to give such students a more appropriate setting and atmosphere for their studies.
Fifteen places have been allocated for a new teacher training course in the area of Home Economics at MIC Thurles this year – the course is due to commence on September 18th in collaboration with the ETB’s state of the art National Apprenticeship Training Centre in Archerstown, Thurles. Deputy Cahill says this development expands the potential for education options in Thurles.
