Published on: 24 October 2017
Local Fianna Fáil TD, John Lahart has said that the Government’s repeated delay in progressing with the long promised new school build at Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna, Knocklyon is having a detrimental impact on schools pupils and staff.
Earlier today, an arranged demonstration took place outside Dáil Éireann to highlight the continued delays in moving forward with this school project.
Commenting following this afternoon’s protest at Leinster House, Deputy Lahart said, “Pupils and staff of Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna in Knocklyon have been languishing in substandard, temporary prefab accommodation, for over 20 years.
“I have been supporting management and staff in their fight for a new school premises for almost 20 years now and it’s disappointing to consider that so many students and come through this school not knowing what it would be like to study in an appropriate educational setting.
“I very much welcome confirmation from the Minister that South Dublin County Council and the Department of Education are currently liaising in order to finalise the legal transfer of land.
“It is crucial that all stakeholders involved continue to communicate any progress in relation to the new school build. Let me clear, no further delays in development will be tolerated by our community.
“Despite being forced to work in such unsuitable teaching conditions, staff at the Gaelscoil have remained deeply committed to delivering an excellent quality education to children in Dublin South West.
“It has taken over two decades for the project to reach this stage and today’s demonstration shows that management and staff at the school will now back down until it is completed.
He concluded, “I will continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure that this extremely important project is given priority and that it is moved to the design and construction phase as quickly as possible.
