Capacity conditions at a west Roscommon primary school are being described as intolerable.
In 2020, St. Attracta's National School in Ballaghaderreen was approved for a new 10 classroom extension along with two ASD rooms.
Although five project options were submitted by the design team, the Department of Education have yet to select one three years on.
The local school caters for close to 280 pupils however it was forced to turn away almost 60 students this year.
Despite some interim measures including the construction of two modular builds which impacts on yard space the school is now subdividing classrooms into smaller spaces to accommodate every class.
Principal Noel Loftus is pleading with Minister Norma Foley to ensure an option is selected without delay.
'Some of the teachers and pupils are in classrooms that are quite small to say the least.
last week we sent the caretaker to purchase actual fans in an effort to cool down and make the rooms more conducive to learning.
The special education rooms which were for the special education teacher, have now been commandeered for classrooms.
I would plead with the minister to make every effort to prioritise our school and I would expect as principle and our board of management would expect, that after the long delays, a response would be given in the next week or two weeks.'
