Principal says Cork Educate Together school will run out of space in two years

Unless immediate action is taken, a Carrigaline school will run out of space within two years, its principal has said.

Owenabue Educate Together National School (ETNS), which opened in 2020 to meet identified demand in one of Ireland’s fastest-growing commuter towns, has been operating in temporary accommodation since then.

Since September of last year, it has operated across two separate sites in Heron’s Wood.

Trina Golden, principal of Owenabue ETNS, told The Echo that the school will run out of space in its current temporary accommodation by June 2028.

Although a new permanent school building has been long promised, that project remains stalled at an early design stage.

A permanent site for Owenabue ETNS was purchased in Janeville in 2023, and Stage 1 final-design documentation for the new school building was submitted in June 2025.

UPDATED TIMELINE

Since then, the school says it has received no communication from the Department of Education on when the project will move to Stage 2, what is causing the delay, or when an updated timeline will be provided.

The situation is further compounded by the urgent need for autism provision in the Carrigaline area.

Owenabue ETNS currently operates two autism classes and has approval for five in its permanent building but these cannot be delivered without the new school building.

Ms Golden said the school’s board of management was now calling for “urgent clarity” from the Department of Education on when the project will progress to Stage 2, and a realistic timeline for delivery of the permanent building.

“Every day, our staff make this split-site arrangement work for the children but it is not a sustainable way to run a growing school,” she said.

“We have one school community operating across two buildings, with all the extra pressures that brings for pupils, families, staff, supervision, communication, and support teaching.

“Our staff continue to provide an exceptional standard of care and education but they are doing so in circumstances that should never have become long-term.”

Ms Golden added that the school was asking for the permanent school building that was promised to the community and for clear answers on when it will be delivered.

“Carrigaline children should be able to go to school in a permanent, fit-for-purpose building in their own community.

“That includes autistic children, who urgently need access to appropriate local classes. The uncertainty has gone on for long enough,” she said.

“We need a timeline, we need communication, and we need action.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the Owenabue ETNS stage report is currently under review.

“On completion of this review, department officials will be in contact with the school and patron regarding further progression of the project,” they said.

“Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.

“The accommodation needs at Owenabue ETNS will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.”