Greystones Community College welcomed the news this week from the Department of Education and Skills, that they have reached an agreement to purchase the designated site for the new post primary school for Greystones. The new building will be located on an 11.5 acre site in Charlesland and will cater for 1,000 pupils. The new building will include over 50 classrooms along with a 1,000 square metre PE hall, gym and outdoor sports facilities.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, a Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow, welcomed the announcement that a site had been secured for the school. “It’s absolutely fantastic news that a deal has finally been done to buy a site for Greystones Community College,” he said. “It gives the staff and pupils much needed certainty after a year in which they have been left in limbo for too long.” He said the main focus now will be on making sure the school is built as quickly as possible so the “students will have the state-of-the-art facility they deserve in September 2023”.
Social Democrat TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore welcomed the clarity for the school community 'It is great news that the Department of Education has finally purchased the site in Charlesland for Greystones Community College'. However she added that 'It is vital that the Department of Education moves quickly to proceed with the design and planning permission stages as soon as possible'.
Greystones Community College Principal Ruairí Farrell reiterated that the students deserve access to state of the art facilities to compliment the excellent teaching provision they are currently receiving at Greystones Community College. ‘School Management look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Department of Education and Skills and Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board to make our permanent building a speedy reality’.
Welcoming the news, Principal Ruairí Farrell noted that ‘The last number of months have proven that a successful school is about so much more than just a school building and Greystones Community College has already earned the confidence of parents in the community as a school that drives high academic standards but also leaves no stone unturned in supporting students social, emotional and personal development’. The students, parents and staff at the school welcome the clarity about the schools future accommodation and look forward to the development of the building being fast tracked so that the school can cater for the unprecedented demand for places at Greystones Community College.
Minister for Further Education Simon Harris TD also commented that there has been very welcome news this week with an agreement in principle between the Department of Education and the landowner to purchase the school’s permanent site. 'I wish to pay tribute to Principal Ruairi Farrell and all the team at Greystones Community College who have had to work in impossible circumstances over the past few months,' said Minister Harris.