Schools to benefit from building programme

WORK is to get underway on several Southside schools
in the New Year under terms of the Schools Building Programme for 2012.

Details of the programme released before Christmas
gave the green light for several local projects.

In Leopardstown, a permanent building is being built
to accommodate the Holy Trinity National School at the Gallops.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan
Shatter TD, welcomed the fact that the school was included in the list of 26
primary building projects to be advanced to construction stage this year.

“This is great news for Holy Trinity National School,

?
he said.

“I have supported the campaign for a permanent, fit for purpose school
building for Holy Trinity over the years.

“Great credit is due to the principal, the board of
management and the parents’ association for their work and determination in
bringing this project to fruition.

?

Deputy Peter Mathews (FG) added that Holy Trinity was
in dire need of a permanent school building.

“At present, the 161 pupils are crammed into nine
pre-fabricated buildings,

? he said.

“Not only are the prefabs unsuitable for
educating children, there is not enough space to accommodate the increased
population in the area, following the construction of 2,500 homes over the last
20 years.

“A permanent school building will greatly improve the
education that children in Leopardstown receive.

?

In all,

?¬430 million will be spent on educational
infrastructure in 2012, representing the first phase of a e2 billion five-year
plan for major school building projects.

It will also allow for the extension of Inchicore
National School.

Deputy Catherine Byrne (FG) said it was great news for
the parents, pupils and teachers at the school on Sarsfield Road.

“The extension will greatly enhance facilities for
all,

? she said.

“Everyone involved in the school has been campaigning for this
for some time.

“It’s also great news for the area that an extension
and refurbishment at Scoil Mhuire Ogh in Crumlin has been completed.

?

Under terms of the programme revealed by the Minister
for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, major projects due to go to
construction this year include 26 new schools at primary level, 12 major
extensions at primary level, nine new schools at second level and nine major
extensions at second level.

The minister also announced details of a Post Primary
School Design Competition to be organised by the Royal Institute of Architects
of Ireland (RIAI) on behalf of the department.

The successful team will design a new school in
Kingswood, Tallaght, and manage its construction with a view to an opening in
late August 2017.

The Minister of State for the OPW, Brian Hayes, said
he was delighted that a new second level school for the area would be designed
and built as part of the competition.

“This is a hugely important project and I look forward
to seeing the innovative designs for the new school,

? he said.

“I’m also
delighted that the OPW is assisting in the management of the schools capital
programme. It’s important that Government departments and agencies work
together to ensure we maximise the number of school building projects we
deliver in the coming years.

?