Dublin People - Pressure increases to fund rundown school

Home

News

Latest News

Pressure increases to fund rundown school

Thursday, 06 March 2008

HOPES have been raised that funding will be provided for a dilapidated Northside national school to construct a new building.
Following the report on the appalling state of Springdale National School, Raheny, in Northside People last week, Dublin North Central TD Richard Bruton (FG) has demanded urgent funding from the Department of Education.
The principal of Springdale National School had expressed anger at the school’s omission from the department’s latest School Building Programme list.
Stella Downes said the school was still without a gym hall or staffroom despite the fact it has been earmarked for a new building since 2001.
Deputy Bruton called for a special debate on Springdale in the Dáil last week, in which he accused the Department of Education of holding back much needed funding for the school.
“The continued delay in providing this school with a new building is having an adverse affect on both pupils and teachers alike,” Deputy Bruton stated.
“Springdale National School has been getting the run-around from the Department of Education for the last seven years while on the waiting list.”
Speaking to Northside People after the Dáil debate, Deputy Bruton said Minister for Education Mary Hanafin told him she was fully committed to providing the new building for Springdale at the earliest possible date.
“Minister Hanafin said the reason other schools were on the list ahead of Springdale this time was that they had already gone out to tender,” he stated.
Deputy Bruton said Minister Hanafin sounded positive on the subject of funding for Springdale.
“An objective observer would say that it looked as if she was committed to doing something for the school,” he said.
“However, Minister Hana-fin did state as far back as April 2006 that the building project for Springdale should immediately go out to tender, so there are still doubts.”
Deputy Bruton said it was disgrace that a school could be in such bad condition that it had damp running down the walls and had to set mouse traps regularly.
“At least there has now been political pressure put on the minister to act and I would be hopeful that Springdale will appear on the next school building list,” he stated.

'We wanted life for life'

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Paul Hickey, who is originally from Darndale, appeared before a Spanish court last week, where he was found guilty of the charge of homicidio - a lesser offence than murder - for the brutal death...
+ Full Story

Disabled waiting months for lift repair

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Parts that are needed to ensure the operation of the lift at the John Paul II Park Sports Complex are in transit from Canada to Ireland, according to Dublin City Council. Following complaints...
+ Full Story

Education cuts may force pupils out

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

St Vincent’s School in Glasnevin is facing a future of uncertainty as it assesses the knock-on effect of the cost cutting measures. Principal Tim Hurley explained how the all-boys’...
+ Full Story

Locals pull together to bring David home

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

David Cahill suffered a severe panic attack, which triggered a massive heart attack, on the first day of his holiday in Crete on September 27. Doctors believed he suffered brain damage as a result...
+ Full Story