Major revamp planned for Malahide school

THE Department of Education and Skills has given the green light for a major revamp to be carried out at a Northside school.

According to local Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF), full planning permission has been secured for the demolition of the existing prefab buildings at St Sylvester’s Infant School, Malahide, which currently accommodates seven classrooms.

A new two-storey extension will be built to the north west of the existing school to accommodate seven new classrooms, two resource rooms, a principal’s office, an administration office, a disabled bathroom, a circulation corridor, stairs and a lift.

Senator O’Brien congratulated the school and parents for their hard work on the development.

“This is fantastic news for the children, staff and management at St Sylvester’s,

? he said.

“Along with Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, I have had the privilege of working with them to help secure approval for a much needed revamp of the school. It’s clear that their hard work has now paid off.

“The current facilities at St Sylvester’s are totally inadequate for the number of children and staff at the school.

?

Senator O’Brien said the new building will make a huge difference in providing the optimum learning environment for all pupils. He commended everyone involved for the dedication they have show to the school’s future.

Meanwhile, there was further good news last week when Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan announced a

?¬36 million investment in 559 schools throughout the country.

The investment is the final part of the current Summer Works Scheme and will bring total investment in small and medium scale works in our primary and post-primary schools under the scheme to more than

?¬108 million.

?

The department has sanctioned work to take place at a number of Northside schools including St Brigid’s Convent National School, Killester (changes to external appearance); St Fiachra’s Senior National School, Beaumont (new windows); St John of God National School, Kilmore Road (new windows); Scoil Neasain, Harmonstown (new windows); Naiscoil Ide, All Saints Drive, Raheny (new windows); St Paul’s College, Sybil Hill, Raheny (changes to external appearance); North Bay Educate Together National School, Greendale Avenue, Kilbarrack (new windows); Scoil Bhride, Donaghmede (new windows); St Michael’s House Special School, Baldoyle (structural improvements); St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle (new windows); Burrow National School, Sutton (new windows); and Scoil Naomh Mearnog, Strand Road, Portmarnock (new windows).

Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab) welcomed the work that will take place at schools in his constituency.

“The majority of works will be carried out over the summer months to minimise disruption to students, teachers and other school staff,

? he said.