Ballyfermot school still split in two as delays drag on

A long-promised new secondary school in Ballyfermot has yet to materialise, leaving students and teachers at St Seton’s split across two sites and facing a daily commute that has become the focus of a growing local campaign.

Momentum is growing behind calls to finally deliver a new building, amid mounting concern over the conditions faced by students and staff at the school.

The school is currently operating across two separate sites in the area, forcing both teachers and pupils to commute between locations on a daily basis.

The arrangement has been described as deeply impractical and a barrier to delivering a cohesive school experience.

St Seton’s was created through the amalgamation of three secondary schools in Ballyfermot following their closure by the respective Catholic Church orders.

At the time, the move was presented as a major step forward for local families.

However, the promised new school building has yet to materialise.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said the situation has dragged on for far too long.

“St Setons secondary school is the amalgamation of three secondary schools in Ballyfermot when they were closed by the respective Catholic Church orders,” he said.

“The amalgamation was heralded as a major step forward for local parents and pupils.

“Unfortunately, the promised new school has never materialised. St. Setons Secondary School is now split between two different sites in Ballyfermot.

“This has forced teachers and students to commute between both schools on a daily basis.”

He also highlighted the condition of the buildings.

“The school buildings are in serious need of upgrading with little money to carry out essential repairs and maintenance.”

Councillors have now unanimously backed a motion calling on the Minister for Education to visit the school.

“I am glad to confirm the local council area committee agreed unanimously to my motion calling on the Minister for Education to visit the school and see for herself the conditions that pupils and staff are forced to work and study in.

I strongly believe if the minister could see for herself these poor conditions she will give the green light for the new school as soon as possible.”

Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan has also visited the school and pledged her support.

“Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan also visited the school,” Doolan said.

She too has given a commitment to actively support the campaign for a new school and has written to the Minister for Education urging her to release funding for a new school as soon as possible.”

Campaign organisers are now planning public meetings, petitions and a postcard campaign.

“It is unacceptable that young people are being treated so poorly by this minister.

The government pride themselves on having a record budget surplus, it is high time that some of this funding is invested in Ballyfermot’s young people.

I am calling on the Minister to visit the school and give a public commitment to having this new school built as a matter of urgency.”