Need for Balla Secondary School extension raised in Dáil

DEPUTY Michael Ring has highlighted the need for grand aid for major capital works at Balla Secondary School during Topical Issues in the Dáil this week.

In his Dáil statement, he emphasised: “There has been substantial growth in student numbers from 222 six years ago to the current enrolment of 421, with more than 40 staff.

“Enrolment is expected to increase to more than 500 students.

“The current school building consists of a number of blocks. There is an estate house that was built in the 1800s and is not fit for purpose. A block was built in the 1960s, a block built in the 1980s, a sports hall built in the 1980s, a small extension built in 2007, and an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, two-classroom block currently near completion.”

Based on a 16-acre site, the school has never been refurbished.”

Deputy Ring set out the need for an extension: ““The extension is required to accommodate new art, home economic, technology, construction, woodwork and technical graphic area. This would allow some of the existing accommodation to be refurbished to facilitate a music room and a dining room.

“There are currently no dining facilities on-site. Also, the existing sports hall has no gym, no toilets, and no ladies changing area. It requires an extension to facilitate the Leaving Certificate physical education curriculum.

“Extensive refurbishment is also required internally and externally.”

He continued: “I just want to emphasise that these boys and girls are at their best stages of life. To have to work at a facility like this is not fair on the staff or the students.

“This school, in particular, has built up a fantastic student base. There is a fantastic community spirit in Balla. In fact it is one of the best towns in Mayo over the past number of years where they have pulled together as a community. They have built up the town and the different sporting organisations and the one thing that is lacking now are the school facilities.”

Deputy Ring praised the school principal, board of management, staff and Fr. Denis Carney for their commitment to ensuring that an extension is progressed for the benefit of the entire community.

Deputy Ring was informed that the application from the Balla Secondary School is being assessed at the present time to consider its eligibility for capital funding.