‘Outrageous’ department in talks with developer to sell site

Discussions have begun with a developer regarding the disposal of a site to the rear of a National School in an area with a rapidly expanding population.

Minister for Education Norma Foley, TD has confirmed to Councillor Francis Timmons (Ind) that her department is in discussions with a developer on a potential disposal of the lands to the rear of St Finian’s National School, Newcastle.

Some lands will be retained for the benefit of the school and the school will be kept informed of any key developments, Minister Foley added in her communication with Cllr Timmons.

“It’s outrageous that the Department of Education is in talks with developers to sell a potential site for a school to developers. Newcastle needs a secondary school, they have an oversubscribed primary school but no secondary,” Cllr Timmons said.

The Independent Councillor is very critical of the lack of foresight on the part of the Department of Education.

“The housing keeps coming but the lack of infrastructure is a disgrace, the people of Newcastle are being screwed over but the lack of even a plan for a secondary school is the final straw. They have had enough of broken promises,” he said.

Cllr Timmons also highlighted the challenges secondary school pupils in Newcastle and their parents have in commuting to a school outside of the area.

“The clogged up roads and lack of public transport makes it extremely difficult to travel outside at peak times,” he said.

The Clondalkin representative also laid down a challenge to Minister Foley and the government “to meet with the residents and explain the lack of basic infrastructure”.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education confirmed to The Echo that the department is in discussions with a developer on a potential disposal of the lands in question for the development of a public park and housing.

“Some lands will be retained for the benefit of St Finian’s NS, which will lead to the extension of their school grounds. It is also the intention that the school would have access to any future public park created on the lands,” the spokesperson continued.

The spokesperson also addressed the issue of the perceived need for a secondary school in Newcastle.

“The current and projected future demand for post primary school places in Newcastle is kept under review. However, the current projected level of demand is not sufficiently large for the establishment of a new school,” the spokesperson added.

Councillor Timmons has previously been critical of Minister Foley’s decision not to sanction the building of a secondary school for Newcastle, as reported by The Echo last month.

At last month’s Clondalkin Council meeting Councillors were informed of the contents of an email from Stephen O’Brien, Private Secretary to the Minister for Education, to the Council on the issue.

In the email Mr O’Brien said that Coláiste Pobail Fóla, Citywest, Saggart was announced in April 2018 to serve as a regional solution for Tallaght, Newcastle and Rathcoole School Planning Areas and will deliver a 1,000 pupil post-primary school.

Furthermore, there is a large-scale capital project, Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole which will provide accommodation for a 1,000 pupil school, Mr O’Brien added.