Calls for council to transfer land to Athlone's Gaelscoil

Westmeath County Council has been urged to make available a parcel of land to the rear of the Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí Gaelscoil in Athlone in order to help cater for the future development of the growing school.

The call was made by Cllr Frankie Keena at this month's meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, and was supported by his fellow councillors.

Cllr Keena said the parcel of public land in question was "small" but that it would be advantageous to the school in allowing the further development of its facilities.

He noted that the school was situated next to the planned 576-unit Lissywollen housing development, which is "the single largest pending housing development" in Westmeath.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said enrolment numbers at the school were growing and were expected to increase further in the years to come.

"We need to be future-proofing this particular school," he commented.

The formal response to Cllr Keena's motion, from council management, stated that the land in question was zoned for community, rather than educational, use at present.

"It is not intended to release the land at this time until there is full clarity around the future use of the land for the benefit of the community associated with the strategic development of the area," stated the local authority's written response.

It added that clarity on any potential future uses for the land had been sought from the council's housing section, and a response from the housing section was currently being awaited.

Cllr Keena said the issue with current zoning of the land could easily be addressed through a variation of the Town Development Plan, and he pointed out that Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí has been making its facilities available for community use outside of school hours.

"We need to be thinking outside the box here. The school is looking to expand. To me, it's a plot of land that's lying idle and should be made available to the school," said Cllr Keena.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke said he fully supported Cllr Keena's motion. "This was raised some years ago, by previous principals in the school, who were anxious to see if that little parcel of land could be used for recreational space in the school or for future expansion.

"We've been kicking it around for long enough, to see what we're going to do with it. We clearly haven't got a strategic purpose for it in mind," said Cllr O'Rourke. "This little parcel will enhance the school, and I think it's a no-brainer."

Cllr Paul Hogan said that, with the expected increase in population in the Lissywollen area, "it makes perfect strategic sense that this piece of land should be made available to Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí as a matter of urgency."

Cllr John Dolan also spoke in support of the motion.

Council director of services Cathaldus Hartin said the councillors' sentiments had been noted and acknowledged.

"I'm not aware if the school has any immediate plans for expansion, that we need to be aware of, in terms of the extent or otherwise of land transfer in this instance," Mr Hartin said.

It was agreed that a response from the council's housing section, on any future plans for the land, would be obtained before the next meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, in October.

Mr Hartin said that, after that response has been received and considered, the members could then potentially seek to have the transfer of the land brought before a full meeting of the county council for formal approval.