Disappointment at delay in securing Athenry school site

By TOM GILMORE ATHENRY parents are disappointed at the delay in acquiring a site for the proposed new vocational school in the town, and 'unwilling vendors' of sites in the area are contributing to the delay. 'After 11 months we still haven't got a site, somebody is dragging their heels and while it is not the VEC , progress is needed now, ' says Liam McDonagh, a teacher at Athenry Vocational School and a member of Co Galway VEC.[/private] He proposed at Monday's meeting of the organisation that a deputation meets with officials of Galway Co Council to try and speed up the acquisition of a site for the proposed new school. His teaching colleague at the Athenry school, and fellow VEC member Seamus Hynes, seconded the proposal by Liam McDonagh for a deputation to meet with the county council officials. CEO Joe McDonagh said that while the delay was regrettable the VEC did not have 'a magic wand' and while the responsibility rests with the Department of Education and Skills and the county council there was the additional problem of 'unwilling vendors' of sites in Athenry, as is the case also in other areas. 'Nobody wants to go down the route of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) but if a site being considered at present is not suitable then a CPO may be required,' said the CEO. He added that a director of services with the county council had told him that there were 'many unwilling vendors' in this area. Chairman of the VEC Pat Gilmore said it is a sensitive and complex issue and perhaps some political support in the county council might speed up the matter. Cllr Jarlath McDonagh said he would raise it at next week's meeting of Galway Co Council. Cllr Michael Connolly said he understands that where the transfer of such site is within designated planning areas, for example the Tuam planning area, the deal would not be subject to a windfall tax, if that is what is worrying vendors. But he said if possible it would be best to avoid CPOs as this route only caused delay in most projects. 'A CPO is a last resort as it can take any amount of God's time to get it sorted. In some instances regarding CPOs for roads, it has taken five years before work could start. 'So when it comes to getting a site for the Athenry school we, as members of Galway Co Council, will support any efforts to speed up the process,' he concluded. [private]