This article is from page 19 of the 2012-07-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
CLARE VEC has been urged to request the Minister for Education and Skills to employ local developers in school construction projects.
The call was made at last week’s VEC meeting by Commitee Chairman, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind).
He said the Minister should be contacted regarding the awarding of contracts for school building projects.
Cllr Brennan acknowledged that the department is subject to EU rules on tendering. However he said that “where possible local developers should be used”.
“We are supposed to be doing everything we can to try and get people back to work,” he added.
He told the meeting that a firm from Northern Ireland had been employed for a project in Ennis.
CEO George O’Callaghan said the Department is bound by regulations on tendering.
Clare VEC has been asked by the Department of Education and Skills to provide support and assistance to Scoil na Mainstreach, Quin, in relation to the construction of a major extension to the school.
Mr O’Callaghan stated, “While the school retains ultimate responsibility of the project the VEC will also provide a check and overview on the process.”
Mr O’Callaghan told the meeting that the VEC would provide technical assistance to the school.
He said the VEC is already engaged in a process for new school extensions at VEC schools in Ennis and Killaloe and Shannon Comprehensive.
Clare VEC will receive a devolved grant for the projects – a 2813sq/m extension in Ennis and a 1800sq/m extension in Killaloe.
The Department of Education has predicted that enrolment at Ennis Community College will rise to 740 students in the near future, while enrolment at St Anne’s is expected to increase to 750.