Kildare Senator Pushes The Department Of Education On Lack Of School Places In Newbridge And Kildare Town

Wednesday, 29 June 2022 09:43

By Caoimhe Harney

Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has said the long term provision of school places is hugely important for both towns.

A Kildare Senator has pressured the Department of Education to provide a substantial update on actions taken to solve the school place shortage in Newbridge and Kildare town.

Fianna Fáil’s Education spokesperson in the Seanad, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, said that she was concerned about what she deemed to be " lack of progress" on this from the Department since she last raised the issue in the Seanad.

“The pre-prepared script which was read out today on behalf of the Department did not contain any additional information than what I received six months ago.

"I had hoped that there would have been more of an update,” she insisted.

“There are 1,500 new homes being built in Newbridge and close to 1,000 in Kildare town, so the long term provision of school places is hugely, hugely important to both towns.

"The lack of communication between the Department and the principal of the Curragh Post Primary in relation to the new modular building at the proposed new site in Magee Barracks is unacceptable at this point," she said.

"This site will eventually house the new 1,000 student school building, but modular accommodation will be needed for next September and the school must be consulted with as well as the patrons," she

The Kildare politician was adamant that the Department of Education needss to fast track this process “and to begin urgent communication with the school and the stakeholders to ensure that this vital project is delivered on time and meets the need of our local community”