LOETB conducting a full review of all Birr OEC activities

THE Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) is currently conducting a full review of all the activities in Birr Outdoor Education Centre (OEC) with a view to their future.
Deputy John Clendennen told The Midland Tribune this week that he was in contact with the LOETB “and, at my request, they agreed to undertake a review with the aim of saving as many of the courses as possible.”
A couple of weeks ago it was revealed that Birr Outdoor Education Centre was planning to replace its popular outdoor activities with a cycling-oriented programme and agriculture courses. The news received a mixed reaction from the general public, with many people strongly opposed to the change in use.
Deputy Clendennen said the review will take a week or two and it's his hope that the popular Summer Camps will take place this year. Many people are worried that these popular annual camps will not go ahead. However Deputy Clendennen said there's a good chance they'll run as usual.
The Kinnitty TD commented that unfortunately Birr OEC is losing a significant amount of money year on year and the LOETB decided that something had to be done to try and make it financially viable. “The Centre is significantly in the red,” Deputy Clendennen remarked, “and the way forward has to be carefully plotted to ensure it remains a going concern. The Centre is a busy place, with a lot of activity and well-attended courses but unfortunately the running costs are too high.”
He said the three full-time jobs in the Centre are secure. He said it's planned to run agriculture courses in at least a part of the OEC's main building and to run a top class cycling facility in a premises to the rear of the main building. He said it's hoped to continue the water-based activities in the Centre, such as kayaking and canoeing.
The Centre will be piloted over the next 12 months as Ireland’s national centre for cycling. Programmes will focus on mountain biking, leisure cycling and cycle safety for school students, utilising the “superb amenities” of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Lough Boora Parklands and the Greenways of the Midlands. Deputy Clendennen said this aligns with the regional tourism strategy and the long-term ambition to “position Offaly as a premier international cycling destination, with Birr as a key destination town.”
The agriculture courses in the Centre, will complement existing FET (Further Education and Training) provision on Townsend Street and strengthen further education opportunities locally.
“I will continue to engage closely with LOETB to ensure this transition delivers positive outcomes for Birr, students and the wider community,” commented Deputy Clendennen.
He added that one of the problems in the OEC is an insufficient use of the dormitories, with many only doing one day or half-day courses.
A woman, whose children regularly attend courses in the OEC, told The Midland Tribune that she was dismayed when she learned that the traditional courses such as canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, gorge walking and hillwalking, will now no longer be held. “I've been told they have started dismantling the dormitories already,” she commented. “It's sad that Birr OEC's traditional activities are being wound down like this, where they are essentially removing all of the services they provide except for biking activities. It will mean a removal of a significant amount of services to an area that already has limited services for children and youth. Birr OEC has been the heart and soul of outdoor education in the midlands for 37 years.”
Birr OEC was opened in 1989 by County Offaly VEC (now Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board), and ever since has provided residential and non-residential outdoor education courses for all ages.
Another person pointed out that St Brendan's Community School hold Leaving Cert Biology ecology field trips with Birr OEC every year. “These are excellent. Our TYs and other year groups regularly use Birr OEC as well. The centre is always busy and the staff are excellent. I don't believe the 'declining demand' statement is true at all.”
“Hearing that Birr Outdoor Education and Training Centre may move toward a bike-only model is genuinely upsetting,” said another.
“I would strongly urge the ETB to reconsider,” said another, “and to engage properly with staff, schools and the local community before making a decision that could have long term consequences.”
“There is always a great atmosphere around the centre when you call in to book or are there with your group,” said another. “The closing of this facility would be a tremendous loss to the young people and the town as a whole.”
Deputy Clendennen said another Centre run by LOETB, the Birr Further Education and Training Centre is doing well. “There is a strong demand for its courses. Recently we saw 300 people graduate there. It's a positive story.”

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