New school in Kildare for Curragh Community College ‘must be a priority for National Development Plan’

The provision of a brand-new school in County Kildare for Curragh Community College "must be a priority for National Development Plan".

That's according to TD for Kildare South, Mark Wall, who today (January 13) called for the new school building for the Curragh Community College to be made a priority for inclusion in the Department of Education and Youth’s implementation plan (which itself falls under the National Development Plan).

The Labour Party politician previously joined a number of other Kildare-based political representatives in calling out the conditions of the school's site.

Explaining his renewed call, Deputy Wall said that he recently visited the current school and met with the principal of the school, as well as members of the Parents’ Association.

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He elaborated: "Following a recent visit to Curragh Community College, I have raised the dire conditions students and staff are in with the Minister for Education and Youth [Hildegarde Naughton TD].

"The Minister has informed me that the new school project, based at Magee Barracks in Kildare town, is at Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.

"The tender returns for building the new school have been received and are currently being reviewed."

SHOCK OVER CONDITIONS

Deputy Wall continued: "The number one priority is and remains a new school building for Curragh Community College.

"I am shocked to see the conditions students and the staff team are having to learn and work in; a number of classrooms are out of use due to health and safety concerns, radiators are not working, while there is mould and even fungus growth in classrooms.

"The current school building is no longer fit-for-purpose."

He further expressed his view that the new building for Curragh Community College should be made a priority for inclusion in the department’s National Development Plan.

Deputy Wall also noted that the first tranche of projects are due to be announced this month.

In addition, he said that the second priority for the school should be "addressing the immediate health and safety issues through the Emergency Works Scheme".

"A site visit to the school was conducted in December and an application for the scheme was recommended.

"I have again written to the Minister to ensure that her department expedites this application."

He concluded by saying: "It is a testament to the pupils, their families and Principal Nessa Doyle and her staff team that they continue to maintain a positive spirit in the face of such dreadful conditions; this is a great school [that] deserves more than they are getting at this time."

Deputy Mark Wall also made headlines last week when he asked people living in Kildare to answer a survey which revolved around transport and traffic congestion issues.

Labour Party TD Mark Wall, who represents Kildare South. File photograph

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