History

Since its formation in 1985, Gaelscoil Philib Barún has been seeking the provision of a permanent home. However, despite year after year of campaigning and waiting, the school is still housed in a series of aging prefabricated structures. The full chronological history of the campaign for a permanent school building is cataloged below. A number of media articles spanning the same period are also available in the Media Coverage section of the website.

1985

Gaelscoil Philib Barún opens in September with 29 pupils and one teacher in Tramore House, Pond Road, Tramore. This accommodation was rented from Tramore Town Commissioners and because the school had only temporary recognition from the Department of Education, accommodation costs and rent were not eligible for grants.

1989

Gaelscoil Philib Barún moves its three teachers and 65 pupils to Stella Maris House, Pond Road, Tramore in September and rents three upstairs rooms from the Sisters of Charity. Conditions were far from ideal but parents and staff helped to install a storage heating system as well as paint and clean the interiors. A fire escape was also added.

Applications to the Department of Education for the usual grants for rent and improvement works were refused on the grounds that the school did not have permanent recognition, a status that was not granted until 1993. Thus, fund raising by parents during this period was vital as a local parish contribution was not forthcoming from parish authorities.

1992

A site at Crobally Upper (Site 1) was identified by the Board of Management for the school and a price was agreed with the vendor and the Department of Education, subject to planning approval.

1993

Planning was refused for a 5 classroom school on Site 1 at Crobally Upper. Reasons included the need for rezoning and the proximity to the then proposed ring road.

1994

A second site at Crobally Upper (Site 2) was identified and following prolonged negotiations a price was agreed subject to planning between the vendor and the Department of Education. As the site was to be owned by the Department of Education no local contribution was required.

1995

Planning permission was refused and appealed to An Bord Pleanála on the advice of the Department of Education where the refusal was upheld. Grounds for the refusal included contravention of zoning and increased traffic hazard on the ring road.

1996

A series of meetings began with council officials in an effort to identify a suitable site for a Gaelscoil in Tramore.

1997

Negotiations began with a number of developers involved in building projects in Tramore town and council advice was sought on all possible sites.

The Landlords of Stella Maris House informed the Board of Management that it saw the continued growth of the school in its present accommodation as unsustainable. An architectural survey of the building confirmed this and meant that renewing the lease agreements would become extremely difficult.

1999

Following consultation with County Manager, Dónal Connolly, negotiations began with Tramore Racecourse about the purchase of a site on its land at Crobally Upper, Tramore. In December of 1999 the Department of Education and Science was informed of the availability of a new site at Crobally Upper for immediate and quick sale.

2000

The Department of Education & Science instigated a study of the school’s demographics and projected growth in May. An 8 classroom building was recommended for a 2.5 acre site. The Board of Management expedited the study and sought to progress the sale. The Department of Education & Science informed the Office of Public Works in December that the site was available and asked them to contact the vendor.

2001

Delays in valuation officers visiting Tramore saw the price per acre double. In December, while negotiations were ongoing in Tramore between the Office of Public Works and Tramore Racecourse, Gaelscoil Philib Barún appeared on no Department of Education & Science list for site purchase or school building. This was rectified following representations made to the Department of Education & Science on behalf of the Board of Management.

2002

The purchase of a site is finally agreed but because of the urgency of the Gaelscoil’s accommodation needs, temporary prefabs are offered by the Department of Education & Science. The Board of Management reluctantly agreed but sought to have them placed on another site offered by the Racecourse for rent so that progress on a permanent building would not be impeded. This offer was refused by the Planning Section of the Department of Science & Education in Tullamore, Co. Offally and the Board of Management is instructed to appoint a project manager to place a prefabricated complex on part of the site being purchased.

Planning permission was sought for 9 prefabs and while permission was granted, the Department of Education & Science only sanctioned 7.

2003

Gaelscoil Philib Barún moves onto an incomplete site in January following prolonged delays and difficulties with some of the contractors working on the site. Gaelscoil Philib Barún’s pupil population begins to double in September. Site works remained incomplete and alternative contractors had to be hired. The purchase of the site was completed and is now owned by the Department of Education & Science.

2004

An application was made for additional temporary accommodation to address school growth. As a result, further site works and planning applications were required. The Board of Management sought to progress its permanent building project.

2005

The Department of Education & Science sought a new study of the school’s projected demographics. This was completed in May and forwarded immediately. There was no response from the Department of Education & Science.

2006

Following a change in personnel dealing with the Gaelscoil’s file in the Planning Section of The Department of Education & Science in Tullamore, copies of the studies completed had to be resubmitted. In November, the Department of Education & Science proposed that a 12 classroom building be built at the lands at Crobally Upper, to accommodate Gaelscoil Philib Barún. The Board of Management formally accepted this proposal by return of post.

2007

The Board of Management awaited the appointment of a design team and a technical visit to the site. A priority rating of band 2.2 was given to the building project by the newly set up Developing Areas unit of the Department of Education & Science. Representations were made again to public representatives to raise the matter with the Minister for Education.

2008

In March, Senator Paudie Coffey raised the school’s plight in the Seanad.

In April, a delegation from the Board of Management met with the Department of Education & Science officials in Tullamore and were given to understand that the school’s priority rating would be increased to Band 1.

In October, in answer to Dáil Questions, the Minister for Education stated that the school had a Band 2 rating. In response to follow-up queries with the Department officials, the school is told that no school is being progressed due to financial constraints. The school embarks on another intensive lobbying campaign with local TD’s and Senators and raised the issue with local press.

In November, the Board of Management sought the services of dhb Architects, Waterford in drawing up its own plans for a permanent building.

In December, the school was approached by the Waterford Leader Partnership about planning a Community facility along with the school building. An initial public meeting was then held in the school.

2009

In January, a public meeting was held in the Grand Hotel, Tramore to highlight the school’s 24 year wait for a permanent home.

Parents filled out a questionnaire on their requirements for a permanent building.

Pupils displayed their own school designs at an exhibition in Tramore’s Coast Guard Station.

Parents association sets up a publicity committee to propmote awareness of the schools plight.

A building subcommittee is formed to liaise with the architects and Waterford Leader Partnership.