Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D., today (Tuesday, 26 August 2014) joined with the staff, students and their parents for the official opening of Ireland’s first Educate Together Second Level school in Hansfield, Dublin 15.

The Tánaiste said: “As Hansfield Educate Together Second Level school opens its doors to some 70 first year students this morning, I am confident that this new venture will prove to be most successful for all involved, and especially so for the students.  I would like to acknowledge the work of the parents in the Dublin 15 area who campaigned over the past number of years for an Educate Together Second Level school.  Without their work and determination, it would not have happened.  I would like to congratulate Bernie Judge, Principal, Carmel Mulcahy, Chair and  Jarlath Munnelly, Manager who, along with Educate Together National Office, have worked incredibility hard with the various partners to make this day a reality.”
During this Government, the Department of Education has placed a strong focus on providing for diversity of schools, with several more Educate Together Second Level schools due to open in 2015 and 2016.
Addressing the students, the Tánaiste continued: “Dublin 15 is a very dynamic, growing area with a very young population.  The new Second Level Educate Together school will be challenging for you, the first students of the school, your teachers, management of your school and of course your parents, whose involvement will be pivotal to the success of the school. You will be ambassadors of the school which is a great privilege but something that you must be very conscious of.  Educate Together has been a tremendous force for creating the development of education in Ireland and together you are building your community to be progressive and vibrant.  I wish you success as you begin this journey together, a journey that I know will be extremely exciting for all of you.”