Broad welcome for schools programme

THE Northside will be home to at least 14 more schools
by 2015 as part of the Department of Education’s five-year school building
programme which was announced last week.

Over the next five years, a number of new schools will
be built in Dublin 15 while Gaelscoils will be built in Cabra, Ballymun,
Parnell Street and Mulhuddart.

A new Muslim school will be built on the Navan Road
and new Educate Together schools will be constructed in Glasnevin and
Powerstown.

A new primary school in Stanhope Street will also be
built as part of the programme, which is expected to create 15,000 direct and
3,000 indirect jobs nationally.

According to Dublin Central TD and Minister for Trade
and Development Joe Costello (Lab), the school buildings are long overdue.

“Everybody will be relieved that another generation of
students will not have to be taught in dilapidated prefabs or old unsuitable
buildings,

? he stated.

“It is an indication of the commitment of this
Government to cherish the children of the nation that such a major investment
is being made in education at the beginning of its term in office.

?

Minister of State at the Department of Health, Roisin
Shortall, expressed her delight at the inclusion of the Ballymun Gaelscoil and
Glasnevin Educate Together on the school building programme.

“I welcome this badly needed investment in our local
schools,

? she stated.

“I know both schools have campaigned for many years
for new school premises and I am delighted that this Government is able to
deliver on this promise.

“Education is the key to Ireland’s successful future
and we remain committed to providing the best possible education system in the
best possible environment.

?

Dublin West TD and Minister for Social Protection Joan
Burton (Lab) also welcomed the school building and extensions programme, which
she said would provide much-needed educational facilities and give an
employment boost to the area.

“The announcement is a vote of confidence in Dublin
15,

? she stated.

“Despite the harsh economic climate, this is a recognition
of the need for long term infrastructure solutions for the education of our
young people, in what is the fastest growing area in Ireland.”

Meanwhile, local Dublin 15 councillor David McGuinness
(FF) said that while he welcomed an investment in education in the Dublin 15
area, he was disappointed that the new school earmarked for Carpenterstown was
not allocated as a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.

“I received considerable support during the Dublin
West By Election due to my support for the designation of a Gaelscoil in
Carpenterstown,

? he stated.

“I find the Minister’s decision disappointing and
surprising as the desire for a Gaelscoil in Carpenterstown has not been
addressed.

“Carpenterstown residents will see this announcement
as a missed opportunity to fulfil their desire to educate their children
through Irish.

?