There was good news for Patrician Academy students and teachers this Tuesday when the go-ahead was finally given to go to tender for the reconstruction of the Patrician Academy which was badly damaged by fire in July, 2016. Local TD Seán Sherlock welcomed the announcement but insisted that “there needs to be a concrete date for construction established. The publication of the tender is welcome but long, long overdue.
“There can be no political praise for this tender publication,” he said. “What we need to see is a definitive construction date established by the Department and adhered to, to ensure that the Academy is built. Anything less simply won’t do.”
Cllr Gearóid Murphy said: “I am delighted to see this project going forward to tender stage. I know this has been a matter of great concern for parents, teachers, staff and students of the school. I look forward to seeing works commence and the building restored to its former glory as soon as possible.”
Fianna Fáil T.D for Cork East, James O’Connor TD, said “This is a momentous day for the school community at the Patrician Academy. I am truly delighted to see this project progress to the tender stage. I want to thank all involved for getting the project to this stage, including the hard work of the board of management, principal, and local councillors.
The fire in 2016 caused a huge headache for school management, which had to hold some classes in off-site venues for the following year. When the damaged site was cleared, portokabins were put in place on the campus, and these have been in use for several years while school authorities tried to get the go-ahead for the reconstruction of the school.