Laytown VEC book into the Neptune

Coláiste na hInse, the new second level school for the Laytown and Bettystown area, is to be accommodated in the Neptune Hotel, Bettystown, despite the fact the hotel was closed down because of heath and safety concerns earlier this year. However, County Meath VEC CEO Peter Kierans said that the building had been inspected by both an architect and structural engineer who said there were no health and safety issues to be concerned about on the ground floor, where the school will be accommodated. The structural issue related to the bedrooms upstairs, he said. Mr Kierans explained that arrangements had been made for first-year students to be transferred first year to Ratoath College because planning difficulties had held up plans for the temporary school. However, he said parents were concerned about the journey from Laytown to Ratoath even though they were providing bus transfers and that they were concerned about crossing the M1, N1 and N2 at the same time as commuters. 'This was a recurring theme since we told them we were going to Ratoath. The staff and timetables and everything else was in place but one thing that wouldn"t go away was the worry of parents.' Mr Kierans said they had searched the 'east coast from end to end' to find somewhere with potential to house the school but there was nothing. He said the Neptune Hotel was closed due to structural issues in the bedroom level and they had approached the hotel owners in July to explore the possibility of housing the school on the ground floor. Mr Kieran said they had to satisfy themselves that the building could accommodate the needs of a school and said they were satisfied with the condition of the hotel which was well-maintained and had sufficient space for the school. An architect and structural engineer have examined the premises and said that there are no health and safety issues to be concerned about on the ground level, according to Mr Kierans and he added that there is not too much work to be done to accommodate the needs of the school. He said the decor was good, there was good circulation space and that partitions would be put up in the ballroom to split it into two classrooms. The 'winter garden' area has been earmarked for art and woodwork. 'It is a wonderful environment. There are beautiful views of the sea, there is plenty of circulation space and there is a car park for staff parking. We are very happy with it and feel the students will get as full an education as they would if they were educated in a modern school,' said Mr Kierans. He also said the parents were 'very pleased and relieved' that the students would not have to travel to Ratoath. Some 80 students are due to commence their second level education at Coláiste na hÍnse on Tuesday, 26th August. Plans for a temporary school building were recently granted planning permission by Meath County Council though the four-week period in which appeals can be made continues until Friday. It is hoped that this temporary school building will be ready for students in September 2009. The permanent school building is due to be ready in September 2011. An opening ceremony for the new school takes place on Tuesday morning at 10am. Anne-Marie McCarrick was appointed as principal earlier this year and the full complement of teaching staff is now in place.