Education

Providing suitable buildings for our children to complete their primary and secondary education and affordable access to third level education for all ages which is vital for the future of Ennis and the surrounding areas. Access to Lifelong learning for Ennis and Clare residents is crucial for personal development and for opportunity for upskilling in time of changing trends in employment as people are expected to age and may wish to retire later.

Primary Education

Cllr Flynn has been invited to be an active part of Primary School development as member and Board of Management (BOM) or Project Committee as primary education of Ennis’ youth is at the forefront of town planning:

– Delivered Scoil Chríost Rí as Member of BOM and New School Project Committee Cloughleigh €6million development
– Member of BOM and New School Project Committee at CBS Ennis, €10million development completion in September 2019
– New School Project Committee for proposed Knockanean School est. €6million Development

In 2018 Scoil Christ Ri Cloughleigh opened its doors to students as a newly refurbished €6 million school. This achievement came after 5 years of raising funding, undergoing the planning process and tendering a builder to complete the works. Cllr Johnny Flynn was not only a member of the School Board during this time but he also took an active part in the New School Project Committee. His experience as a former Engineer and Fire Officer, was invaluable in guiding the team during this process.

Cllr Flynn is part for the CBS Ennis Board of Management which has been working for a new school since 2012. In 2018, a contractor was appointed and works have commenced and are scheduled to be completed by September 2019.

As the surrounding villages of Ennis have seen as much growth as the town, Cllr Flynn is also involved in the Knockanean School project. His experience in Barefield National School, Scoil Christ Ri Cloughleigh and CBS school development projects and his background in Engineering will aid the Board of Management to navigate this process.

The children of these areas and the teaching staff will have a suitable environment to learn and develop.

Access to Third Level Education

In 2013, Cllr Flynn was an essential support for Dublin Coach in obtaining the licence for the Ennis route in which has been successfully running from Ennis to Dublin with stops in Limerick for five years. Dublin Coach provides a regular service from the town centre to assist the people of Ennis in getting to third level education college and work in Limerick. This affordable access to third level education has reduced the cost of attending college for Ennis residents, making the opportunity more widely available students.

Additional Secondary Schools for the Ennis Area

For the teenagers of Ennis, there is a shortage of spaces in Secondary Schools within their local vicinity. This adds to the expense and stress of families to transport their children to Secondary Schools outside the town centre. As the population grows, the Ennis students in Secondary Schools based in smaller towns and villages outside of the town will put too much pressure on their resources.

Cllr Flynn commits to advocate for a site to be sourced for an additional secondary school in Ennis town to the benefit of families in Ennis and the surrounding areas.

Local Heritage Tour Guiding Course at LIT

Assisted in funding for and set up of the 2018/19 LIT Local Heritage Tour Guiding course in Ennis, designed to develop the skill of tour guides with core knowledge of Ireland combined with expertise of local heritage, culture and history in identified regions, including Ennis. 

Ennis as a 3rd Level Campus Town

Since 2004, advocated for need for an Ennis Campus and raised the potential with for the redevelopment of Harmony Row, the old Library and surrounding lands such a 3rd level campus. This could compliment LIT plans to use a Council building at 1 Bindon Street for 3rd level courses. Ennis could become a Centre for Education to give young people and adults the opportunity to continue their education to be able to part of a changing workplace.