Taoiseach to meet Kilkenny schools after ‘senseless’ funding ‘setback’

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, is to meet the principals of two Kilkenny schools after their ‘unacceptable and indefensible’ omission from the announcement of funding for new school buildings.

Speaking in the Dáil, he said he is “anxious to deal with these issues for the school communities involved.”

Deputy Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere appealed for the Taoiseach’s help in the Dáil chamber.

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Leas Ceann Comhairle and TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, also voiced his deep concern and anger at what he described as the  “senseless and deeply damaging setback” of the failure to include the Kilkenny City school campus in the recently published Sectoral Investment Plan for Education and Youth.

Deputy McGuinness said the omission of the Kilkenny Education Campus – comprising  Kilkenny City Vocational School and Coláiste Pobail Osraí – represents a serious breach of commitments given to students, parents, staff and the wider Kilkenny community over many years.

“This project was first promised in 2008. In 2015, a clear commitment was given to deliver two new schools. In January 2025, an official letter of intent was issued, enabling works were green-lighted, and €3.5 million of public money has already been spent.

“To now exclude this project at such an advanced stage is unacceptable and indefensible,” Deputy McGuinness said.
The project has progressed to Stage 2B, with an estimated value of €50 million. Architects have been appointed, enabling works on the new site have been completed, and both schools are at full capacity. The next stage – tender and construction – is ready to proceed.

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“Kilkenny City Vocational School is the only DEIS post-primary school in Kilkenny City and has an exemplary inspection record. Coláiste Pobail Osraí is the only Irish-medium post-primary school in the city and county. Both are non-denominational and co-educational. Their current facilities are simply not fit for purpose,” he said.

Deputy McGuinness confirmed that he and Cllr Deirdre Cullen had handed over a letter from Cathy McSorley, Principal of Kilkenny City Vocational School, he has spoken directly to both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education and that the Taoiseach has agreed to meet the school stakeholders.

“The Taoiseach will meet Cathy McSorley, Principal of Kilkenny City Vocational School; Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh, Principal of Coláiste Pobail Osraí; and Deirdre Cullen, Chair of the Board of Management. ”
Deputy McGuinness said he will not tolerate any back-tracking by Government.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere reiterated that “management, staff, students and parents and the whole school community are extremely disappointed and dismayed at the decision last week by the Minister, Deputy Naughton, not to release long-promised funding for the Kilkenny school campus.”

Deputy Cleere said: “The reality for both schools currently is that their classrooms are not fit for purpose, there are no outdoor recreation facilities, there are no outdoor sport facilities and no PE facilities.”

He said that any help the Taoiseach can give to reverse this decision would be hugely appreciated by the whole school community.

“If the project is not advanced by July 2027, the planning permission will run out, and €3 million has already been spent to get to this stage,” Deputy Cleere warned.

Responding to the Kilkenny TD, An Taoiseach said he is familiar with the schools. “I am anxious to deal with these issues for the school communities involved,” An Taoiseach said.