Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has said it is brilliant news that the tender process for the new school building for St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School in Malahide has finally begun.
“It is great news that the tender process has begun for the new school building for St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School in Malahide. It is with a great deal of personal pride that I can confirm that the construction process will finally begin on the brand-new, state of the art, facility for St. Oliver Plunkett’s this coming summer.
“After many broken promises and failed attempts over almost 20 years, now we will finally see the incredible work of the board of management, the current and former principal, and the many hundreds of parents who have lobbied the Government, become a reality with the delivery of a new facility suitable for our children in Malahide.
“In 2010, we were informed that this project was shovel ready. This was clearly not the case and, when this Government took office, it was found that the project did not have planning permission, and had not even been provided for in the previous government’s capital plan.
“As a former pupil of St. Oliver Plunkett’s, I am delighted to have learned from the board of management that construction will commence over the summer, following the tender process which has just begun, with the tender award coming imminently.
“Following my first election to Fingal County Council in 2004, I received dozens of letters from concerned parents who wanted a new school for their children. I am very pleased that, having lobbied the Minister for Education and Skills extensively since my election to Dáil Éireann in 2011, this hard work has paid off.
“This is great news for the local community in Malahide as it will put in place the necessary infrastructure to ensure that our children receive their education in an environment which is conducive to their learning.”