United Laois campaign to deliver vital gym to school with big GAA tradition

A high-level meeting took place in St Fergal's College recently, to plan the next step in a major effort to secure a new PE hall.

Despite being founded in 1937 and having secured approval in 2010 from the Department for a modern PE Hall which has planning permission, no minister has approved funding for construction to proceed.

The need for a new PE Hall is given added impetus by the recent significant growth in student numbers and the Department's approval of the construction of a major school extension.   

The meeting took place after recent individual visits to the school by Laois TDs Minister Sean Fleming, Charlie Flanagan and Brian Stanley as well as Laois Offaly-based Minister of State Pippa Hackett.

The meeting was also attended by Board of Management members, the Parents' Council, teachers and local people involved in sport. The parents' campaign is already underway with a petition, signed by more than 360 people, sent to the Minister for Education before Christmas.

A statement issued afterward said one of the TDs described the meeting as one of the strongest he'd ever attended. There were several passionate contributions as well as a detailed outline of the educational and equality issues at stake.

The politicians present gave their full support and committed to seeking a joint meeting with the Minister for Education. The delegation will include the principal and other representatives of the school.  

A statement said those representing the school are determined persuade the current minister for Education Norma Foley to deliver a hall.

They hope that with the second half of the National Development Plan commencing in 2023 and given that the school has Department approval of a plan for a PE Hall since 2010, the school has a reasonable and urgent case for prioritisation.

Failing any short-term breakthrough, the principal Gerry Quinn said that their efforts would develop further and intensify.

"We are developing our school facilities in a number of important ways. Plans for a major school extension with six new classrooms including an ASD Unit, are progressing well.  We are determined that our students have first class facilities, and a proper PE Hall is an essential part of this.

"The synergy from pupils, parents, teachers, Parents' Council, Board of Management and Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), is helping to drive our strategy forward. The support from local members of the Oireachtas is very welcome and essential for a successful conclusion. A new PE Hall must be delivered sooner rather than later; our pupils will not be left behind," he said.        

Cllr John King, is the chairperson of the Board of Management.

"There is a lot of support from parents for the ambitious development plans in St Fergal's College. There are several signs of significant progress already and we want to build on that. The Minister must now provide funding for the new PE Hall which the Department approved plans for in 2010.  It is badly needed not only in the school but by the local community who could put it to very good use it after school hours," he said.

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The current projected enrolment for next August (school year 2023-2024) shows an overall growth in school student numbers of 17% from the school year 2020-2021). This figure does not include any Ukrainian students who will also enroll due to the building of new modular homes in the town.

Among those to meet the Laois TDs and Senator Hackett were Eimear Delaney Chairperson Parents' Council, Cllr John King Chairperson, Board of Management, Gerry Quinn Principal, Alan Fogarty, Fergal Ryan, Ross King, Helen Campion, Bernie Wall,  Orla Doyle,  Ann Creagh,  Evelyn Dunne, Chairperson LOETB, Ciara Carroll, Lorcan Dunne, Pat Roe and Cllr Padraig Fleming.