Local schools to benefit from €47m govt fund

By Brendan Grehan

SOME 17 local schools will benefit this summer from €47 million funding for upgrade work as part of the Government’s €500m Education Capital Investment Plan.

Yesterday, The Minister for Education, Richard Bruton announced that €47m would be provided by the Department of Education and Skills, through the summer works scheme, to provide for major improvements in primary and post primary schools.

Minister Bruton said: “My Department will provide funding of €47m through the Summer Works Scheme which will provide for major improvements in primary and post primary schools around the country.I am very pleased to be able to make this funding available, which will benefit 438 schools nationwide.

“This investment will see the allocation of €47m for vital school projects which aim to upgrade mechanical, sanitation and roofs in school buildings”.

The local schools that will receive upgrade work are Whitechurch National School; Rathfarnham, St Patrick’s Girls NS; Ballyroan Road, St Kevin Boy’s NS; Kilnamanagh, Talbot SNS; Clondalkin, Colaiste Phadraig CBS; Lucan, St Damien’s NS; Perrystown, Meanscoil Iognaid Ris; Long Mile Road, Rosary College; Crumlin, St Paul’s Greenhills, Deansrath Community College, Collinstown Community College, Colaiste Cillian, Greenhills College, Mount Seskin Community College; Tallaght, Phobalscoil Isolde; Palmerstown, and St Mark’s Community School, Tallaght.

Local TD and Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald welcomed the announcement.

She said: “The Summer Works Scheme will see mechanical, sanitation and roofing upgrades, to buildings in six schools in our area.

“Works will be carried out in six local schools over the summer months, so the disruption to students, teachers and other school staff will be kept to a minimum.”

She added: “The local schools that will benefit from the scheme include Talbot Senior NS Bawnogue, Deansrath Community College, Collinstown Community College, Coláiste Chillian in Clondalkin, Pobalscoil Iosolde in Palmerstown and Coláiste Phadraig in Lucan”.

The announcement was also welcomed by Dublin South West TD and Independent Minister Katherine Zappone.

Minister Zappone said: “Our children deserve schools which are safe, secure and comfortable and these improvements will make a difference.

The Summer Works Programme is another indication of the Government’s commitment to ensure our schools are modernised and offer the best possible facilities for the next generation.”