Relief as Gaelscoil Bharra go-ahead is confirmed
February 5, 2016
PARENTS, teachers and staff at Gaelscoil Bharra in Dublin 7 are breathing a sigh of relief this week after it was confirmed that a contractor has been selected to build a new permanent school.
The news allayed fears that construction of the long-awaited building could be delayed yet again after it was revealed that funding for the project had been put on hold and was under review.
The revelation sparked a furious response in the area, with Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin Central, Mary Fitzpatrick, describing it as “bureaucratic madness”.
“The children, teachers, parents and friends of Gaelscoil Bharra have been operating out of portacabins for years,” she said.
“Four years ago they were promised a purpose-built school and had expected contractors to begin building next week.”
Gaelscoil Bharra has been at the centre of a school building campaign for two decades. Many former pupils have been educated in dilapidated prefabs and up until recently the school had been overlooked when it came to school building programmes.
After finally getting the green light for construction, another setback would have been almost unbearable for Gaelscoil Bharra’s staff and pupils.
However, Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, said that while there was never any danger of a significant delay, it was important that the budget for school building projects was managed effectively.
“Before commencement dates can be entered into the Department needs to complete it financial planning exercise for this year,” she said.
“This has resulted in a delay of a few weeks for a couple of projects, but has not, as some have suggested, meant that any project is cancelled or substantially delayed.
“I can understand the frustration of parents and staff with any delays to school building projects, but it is important that we are prudent in how we manage our expenditure.”
In a letter to local TD and Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe, Minister O’Sullivan confirmed work at Gaelscoil Bharra wouldn’t be delayed.
“The work to profile expenditure for the year has now been completed,” she said.
“In relation to the specific project in Gaelscoil Bharra, this allows the Letter of Acceptance to issue to the contractor for this project today.
“It is a matter for the contractor to determine when work will begin onsite, but work should certainly begin within the next fortnight.”
Dublin Central TD, Mary Lou McDonald (SF), welcomed news that the contractor had been given the go-ahead, describing it as “a victory for Cabra”.
“A massive congratulations must go to the teachers, children and parents at Gaelscoil Bharra for forcing the department into this U-turn,” she said.
www.dublinpeople.com
