Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell has said that the allocation of additional school accommodation to the North County, and particularly to Malahide and Swords, must be prioritised as economic conditions continue to improve.
“As many parents will know, there is currently a capacity issue facing many schools across Dublin Fingal. This issue must be resolved as a matter of priority in order to prevent the situation worsening in the coming years. Many schools in Dublin Fingal have been successful in their applications for investment over the past three years and the Department of Education and Skills has given the green-light to a number of new projects. However, I believe it is of the utmost importance that action now be taken to ensure that there is adequate infrastructure in place to cater for the increased demand which schools in the constituency will undoubtedly face in the not-so-distant future.
“It is particularly evident that, in parts of Malahide and Swords, the resources of many secondary schools will be placed under increased strain as the number of students in primary level schools, who will be progressing to secondary school in the coming years, is greater than the capacity currently available.
“Minister O’Sullivan has stated that the Department of Education and Skills is currently analysing demographic data to determine where additional school accommodation will be required from 2015 onwards. Once this is completed, measures will be taken to provide additional accommodation where it is needed.
“It is clear that the current school infrastructure in place in Malahide and Swords is not sufficient. With such a young and fast-growing population, the requirements for school accommodation in the North County will only increase over the next number of years. I will continue to engage with the Department to ensure the concerns of parents are heard and the necessary resources are provided to make sure our children receive a high-quality education in an environment which is conducive to their learning, particularly in east Swords and surrounding areas in Malahide.”
Note to Editors:
Since this Government came to office, the following investment has been made in education in Dublin Fingal:
Replacement of prefabs and the construction of permanent classrooms:
St Patrick’s Junior National School, Skerries
Holmpatrick National School, Skerries
St Oliver Plunkett’s National School, Balrothery
The Naul National School
Scoil Phadraic, Donabate
Scoil Phadraic Calini, Donabate
Realt na Mara, Skerries
St Peter and Paul National School, Balbriggan
St Teresa’s National School, Balbriggan
Scoil Mologa, Balbriggan
Holy Family SNS, Swords
St Andrew’s National School, Malahide
St Sylvester’s Junior National School, Malahide
St John Paul II National School, Malahide
New School Building projects:
Lusk Community College
Flemington-Balbriggan National School, Balbriggan
Skerries Educate Together
Scoil Catríona, Rush
Coláiste Clor na Mora, Stephenstown
Malahide/Portmarnock Educate Together
St Michael’s Special Needs School, Hackelstown, Skerries
St Oliver Plunkett’s National School, Malahide (Replacement School)
Extensions to schools:
Ardgillan Community School, Balbriggan
Skerries Educate Together
Scoil Catríona, Rush
St Finian’s Community College, Swords
Balbriggan Community College
Rush & Lusk Educate Together
New Special Needs Classes:
Holywell Educate Together, Swords
Bracken Educate Together, Balbriggan
Donabate Community College
Kilcoskan National School, The Ward
Donabate VEC Post-Primary School
St Helen’s Junior National School, Portmarnock, was granted funding for 2 withdrawal rooms, a multi-sensory room and a new office.
Coláiste Choilm, Swords, was granted funding for an ASD classroom.