1. What is the project? CBS Kilkenny has been on the current city-centre site for 160 years. At 1.2 acres, the site measures just 13% of the Department of Education & Skills (DES) recommended size of 11 acres for a 700 student school. In November 2015 the DES added CBS Kilkenny to the New Schools List which means that the DES will fund a new school building.
2. Who pays for the site and building? As a Catholic voluntary secondary school, the DES will fund a school building but will not provide a site. The school itself must provide the site. After years of fundraising and prudent financial management, the Board of Management of CBS Kilkenny has purchased five acres on the Dunningstown Road. The existing school and site on James’s St belong to the Trustees, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) and are being used in part-purchase for the remaining six acres.
3. Do other types of schools get sites provided by the DES? Yes. Community schools and ETB schools are provided with a site and buildings because they are state-owned schools. Catholic voluntary secondary schools, such as CBS Kilkenny are those which were founded and operated by religious orders and are now under Catholic trusteeship. They comprise about 50% of all secondary schools in Ireland.
4. Why is money needed now, and what will it be used for? While the Board of Management and Trustees have secured the site and the DES will provide the building, all extra cultural and sporting facilities must be funded by the school. In order to ensure that the new facilities are state of the art and will provide students with a top class educational experience for years to come, it is hoped to raise €1,000,000 over the next five years.
5. When is it envisaged that the new school will open? Significant progress has been achieved in recent months. We expect the DES Building Unit to confirm exact dates for the building program and for the opening date of the new school very soon.
6. How are the required funds going to be raised? There is a committed development group in place. The steering committee has developed a multi-prong approach to the project. This will be achieved through a range of different fundraising initiatives.
