15 months on and St Oliver’s traffic plan still awaits funding

The creation of a designated drop-off and pick-up point at St Oliver’s National School in Ballycasheen is dependent on the school receiving funding, a Kerry County Council official has confirmed.

The issue was raised at last week’s Killarney Municipal District meeting by Mayor Martin Grady, who asked for an update on the proposed project.
In a reply, a council official stated that a planning application for a new school car park, bus and car set-down areas has been submitted by the school and has received full planning approval. The official added that the council understands the work will proceed once the school has secured funding.
However, this is the exact same reply that the council gave in March 2024 meaning nothing has progressed in over a year.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser after the meeting, Mayor Grady said the current situation is "not good enough or safe." With 700 pupils and staff, parents are forced to drop off children on the main road, leading to "several minor collisions."
Grady also highlighted the negative impact on residents and commuters, noting that the area experiences "gridlock every morning and evening."
He pointed out that the school has already been granted planning permission for further expansion and the setting back of a wall to create sufficient space for the drop-off point. Grady has requested that the council write to the relevant government departments to "expedite the issue before something serious happens."