Fianna Fáils Education spokesperson in the Seanad, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin pressure the Department of Education to provide a substantial update on actions taken to solve the school place shortage in Newbridge and Kildare Town.
Senator O’Loughlin said that she was concerned about what seems like a lack of progress on this from Department of Education since she last raised the issue in the Seanad.
“The pre-prepared script which was read out today on behalf of the Department did not contain any additional information than what I received six months ago. I had hoped that there would have been more of an update.”
“There are 1500 new homes being built in Newbridge and close to 1,000 in Kildare Town, so the long term provision of school places is hugely, hugely important to both towns. The lack of communication between the Department and the principal of the Curragh Post Primary in relation to the new modular building at the proposed new site in Magee Barracks is unacceptable at this point. This site will eventually house the new 1,000 student school building, but modular accommodation will be needed for next September and the school must be consulted with as well as the patrons.”
Fiona concluded “I am calling on the Department of Education to fast track this process and to begin urgent communication with the school and the stakeholders to ensure that this vital project is delivered on time and meets the need of our local community.”
-ENDS-