School Buildings on the way

THERE was good news for school children and parents in
Dublin 15 last week when it was announced that work on a long-awaited and
much-needed new school will get underway next year.

Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, confirmed that
work will proceed on the first phase of Luttrelstown Community College and the
extension of Scoil Choilm.

It’s expected that planning permission for the works
on the Porterstown school campus will be submitted to Fingal County Council in
January and the tender process for the project will commence at the same time.
It’s hoped that construction will then begin in late 2012 with a view to
completion in August 2013.

Luttrellstown Community College currently operates
from temporary buildings near Blanchardstown Hospital, some distance from the
school’s natural catchment area.

Minister Leo Varadkar (FG) welcomed the announcement
that the project will proceed next week.

“I am very pleased the development of this new primary
school campus will go to construction next year,

? he stated.

“The news will be welcomed across Clonsilla and
Carpenterstown which the schools serve.

“The new Porterstown School Campus will comprise new
school buildings for Luttrellstown Community College, along with a classroom
extension for Scoil Choilm.

“The development will include additional Special
Education & Training provision for remedial teaching, special needs
facilities, and a general purpose hall.

“My department is currently funding the construction
of a new road to provide proper access to the school campus.

?

Minister Varadkar said school building works and
projects have been prioritised over transport projects such as the Metro North
and DART projects which were recently shelved.

“The Government has had to cut back on capital
investment due to the recession,

? he explained.

“I had to defer many big transport projects like Metro
North. While this decision was regrettable, it has allowed us to prioritise key
investments in education and health. We will now be able to build new schools
in areas where they are needed, along with a new national children’s hospital,
and a network of primary health care centres across the country.

?

He added:

“Metros and motorways can wait to be built,
but children cannot wait for a school.

?