This article is from page 11 of the 2006-06-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
THE Diocese of Killaloe confirmed yesterday that it was “quite unlikely” that any man would enter studies for the priesthood next September.
The Diocese’s Director of Vocations, Fr Iggy McCormack told The Clare People THE ENNIS Educate Together school is hopeful that agreement can be reached with Clare County Council over a permanent site for the school.
School officials have also hit back at claims made by the council that the present Gort Road site isn’t large enough to accommodate a permanent building.
The council stated that school management had not sought to renew the lease for the site which ran out eight months ago and that the site is unsuitable for development.
But school principal Sean O’Confhaola has hit back saying the school would be happy to develop the present site.
“The school would be more than happy to obtain a site of 1.86 acres instead of one of 2.5 acres if it would mean building a new school sooner rather than later.
“Many schools have been built on smaller sites in urban areas. In fact, a very small site for the Ranelagh Multi-Denominational National School won an architectural award last year.”
Mr O’Confhaola says the Council has a social responsibility for the school as 165 children were enrolled there. He hoped the Council would consider new school planning measures currently in place in six counties which would allow the local authority reserve a site for the school.
The school has been at loggerheads with the council over a permanent site. School officials have said they may not be able to take new students at the beginning of next term if the issue is not resolved.