Parents, teachers, children and school management in St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown are this week celebrating the fact that Department of Eductation have finally, after many years of delays, acquired the permanent school site for the school. Labour TD for Dublin West, Deputy Joan Burton, said that she wanted to extend her congratulations to all the people of the area, parents, staff and management who have worked so hard for the acquisition of the site and the development of a permanent school.

“Unfortunately, there have been many years of foot-dragging by the Fianna Fáil/PD Government before the site was finally acquired and handed over this week”, said Deputy Burton. “I understand that next week there will be a site turning ceremony to mark the acquisition of the site by the Department of Education.”

“This is a vital piece of infrastructure for the Diswellstown/Luttrelstown area, where many thousands of new homes have been built. Currently, children are temporarily attending school at the old national school on the Clonsilla Road. The school has developed a fine reputation for its excellence, and it is extremely popular with parents and children. The fact that the school will now be based much nearer to its catchment area will make things much easier for parents, not least from a traffic point of view.

“In the recent debate on the County Development Plan, Labour Party councillors have opposed further massive house building in areas like Kellystown and Barnhill, unless key infrastructure such as schools, public transport and sports pitches are provided. In the case of St. Patrick’s National School, Diswellstown, it has taken almost seven years for the promised school site to materialise. But, better late than never and I look forward to the building of the permanent school as soon as possible.”, said Deputy Burton.