New schools in the pipeline for Dublin 15

DUBLIN 15 could have three new schools by September 2014 to cater for its growing population if plans progress as expected.

Late last month, on the same week that planning permission was granted for a new secondary school at Tyrrelstown, the Department of Education lodged a planning application for Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School near Ongar.

The site adjoins the new Blanchardstown West Educate Together Primary School at Barnwell, which was granted planning permission in March. Tenders are now being sought and all three schools are due to be completed in time for September 2014.

However, more schools may still be needed as local Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison believes population projections for the area indicate that at least two more will be needed in Dublin 15 over the next five years.

“The present secondary school age population is 7,429 while in six years’ time it will be 10,462, a rise of 40 per cent,

? he said.

“The Department of Education and Fingal County Council have identified possible future secondary school sites at Carpenterstown and Tyrrelstown.

“The new Government has taken a different approach to planning in providing schools to meet demand rather than having communities campaigning for schools, as was the case in the past.

“As well as catering for educational needs for young and old, the new schools will provide additional community and sports facilities in the area.

The proposed Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School will boast a three storey building catering for around 1,000 pupils and will have a special needs unit.

There will be also six ball courts and the total floor area of the new school will be 9,586 sq mts. New access and pedestrian roads are also planned.

Tyrrelstown Secondary School will have 27 general classrooms, a special needs unit and an associated sensory garden.

An all-weather playing pitch is also part of the proposal along with a PE hall and six ball courts. A new access road will be built along with footpaths, street lighting and cycle paths.