Construction work on long-awaited Enfield Community College begins

Construction began this week on the long-awaited permanent school building for Enfield Community College as builders JJ Rhatigan moved on site.

Last week the Department of Education gave approval for the project to proceed to construction on the enabling works for the 1,000 student secondary school which will include four classrooms for children with additional needs.

While a lot of planning and background work has been ongoing in recent months, school principal Shane Foley explained that the letter of approval means the contractor can now move in and start work on site.

"I'm delighted that the much anticipated and long-awaited permanent building is beginning work with JJ Rhatigan and company as the builder. Everyone is looking forward to what will be a fantastic 1,000 pupil school building. It is very necessary and demand for school places is very high again this year."

He outlined that the project would be a 72-week build.

Enfield Community College opened in 2020 with just 33 students in the former ESB premises (now the community hub) before moving to prefabs at the rear of that site and later into temporary modular accommodation on the permanent site. Enrolment currently stands at 535.

Meath West General Election candidate Cllr Aisling Dempsey said: "As chair of Enfield CC I am thrilled to finally see this project progress. Since the school opened at its original town centre location, the temporary facilities have been fantastic but the staff, pupils and people of Enfield deserve their permanent home.

"Despite its temporary nature, the school has built a fantastic reputation for itself and numbers have exceeded expectations because of this. I’d like to thank Norma Foley and the Dept of Education, all at LMETB, Shane Foley, principal and all the staff and parents of the pupils who have fought hard for this day."