O’Brien presses Minister for update on St Molaga’s new school build

                O’Brien presses Minister for update on St Molaga’s new school build
                      Temporary prefab accommodation is not fit for purpose

​Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that appropriate permanent accommodation must be developed at St Molaga’s National School, Balbriggan as a matter of priority.


In information received by the Deputy through Parliamentary Question, the Minister for Education Richard Bruton confirmed that a meeting has been arranged with school authorities for early this month in relation to the project.


Speaking following a visit to the school earlier today, Deputy O’Brien said, “For some time now, a large staff of teachers and management have been providing a top class education to close to 500 pupils in substandard conditions.


"The school population has continued to increase while it’s been placed on the major school building list for 2019-2021. From my own observation of the current school accommodation this morning, it is glaringly obvious that there is a critical need for this build.


“The Government’s inaction in relation to the required upgrade has deeply frustrated the whole town of Balbriggan and the wider Fingal community.


“Progress must be made before pupils and staff are left in substandard, inadequate teaching and learning environment. Providing additional prefab accommodation to manage demand is neither a sufficient or long-term solution.


“While the Minister had confirmed that Department officials are currently preparing the project brief, the appointment of a design team must be fast-tracked to get this upgrade underway.


He concluded, “We have already had to wait far too long for this essential development. At our meeting earlier today I personally committed to working with the Board of Management and parents to make sure this project goes ahead.”