Public Meeting Held On July 11th

‌On Tuesday 11th July, 2023, Deputy Patrick Costello (Green Party) and Councillor Michael Pidgeon (Green Party) hosted a public meeting to discuss our call for a new secondary school in Dublin 8.

Dr. JoAnne Mancini from Maynooth University highlighted how severely our children are being left behind with regard to secondary school provision, particularly compared to more affluent areas of Dublin, who have been granted new schools despite the need being nowhere near as big as it is in Dublin 8.

Louise Fitzpatrick shared the frustrations of local parents and their concerns around travel times, of feeling excluded and forgotten about and on the importance of building a sustainable community with education at the heart of it.

Councillor Michael Pidgeon shared a number of potential sites to house a new secondary school with the Siptu/ OPW building on South Circular Road showing most potential.

Deputy Costello talked us through all the great advocacy work he has been doing for us in Leinster House in trying to bring our case to Minister Foley. He made it clear that our primary aim needs to be to get in front of Minister Foley to draw to her attention how the current Dept. of Education modelling system is broken.

We then heard from Clare Kavanagh from the Gaelcolaiste 2468 campaign, who had some great advice for us on lobbying for a new school and ideas around how we can synergise our efforts.

Senator Mary Seery Kearney popped by to ensure us that she is also representing us in Leinster House and has got commitment from Pascal Donohue to address our cause.

An open discussion with the room followed, whereby parents and concerned residents shared their stories, frustration and united effort to ensure our children are not left behind when it comes to education.