New 500 Pupil Secondary School Secured for Enfield – English

Damien English, Local Fine Gael TD and the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, has welcomed news that Enfield in South Meath will be home to a new Second Level School for 500 pupils under Governments new plans for additional school buildings nationwide.

“Today, my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, T.D. announced plans for the establishment of new schools over the next 4 years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by his Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country. The new school for Enfield is planned to open in 2020”

Minister English paid tribute to the local community in Enfield for actively campaigning with him since his tenure as Minister of State in the Department of Education for the much-needed school for the South Meath town and surrounding areas.

Minister English stated that “In February of this year I, along with Cllr. Enda Flynn and Breda Duggan met with Minister Bruton on behalf of the Enfield Post Primary Group to present demographic figures for the catchment area which helped to prove the case for a new Second Level School in Enfield.  I would like to thank the many local campaigners for never giving up on the need for the school.  During my time at the Department of Education I ensured that the case for Enfield would be included in this review of school accommodation needs based on demographic needs. The work and dedication by the people of Enfield has helped to secure this new educational facility for the growing South Meath town”.

Cllr. Enda Flynn said of the great local news for Enfield “About ten years ago I was approached about the need to establish a Post Primary school in Enfield. This need has become more evident as the years have gone past. Many people have contributed to the campaign. Breda Duggan and Kevin Mullan have a led a dedicated group in recent years. I am delighted that the wishes of so many in this community are now being realised.

We have wonderful pre-schools and a modern Primary school in Enfield. The announcement that a new Post Primary School will now be built in Enfield will see the last piece of the jig-saw as regards educational facilities for the area.

I appreciate the work that Minister Damien English did while in the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that Enfield was included in the priority areas for the country. The 2018 Review of these areas shows that the facts prove the need for the school in Enfield. Minister English has continued to work with our local group over the past number of years and I am delighted now to be able to welcome this announcement.”

In addition to this announcement Minister English confirmed that Government will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.

Further to today’s announcement by the Minister for Education, Minister English has also received confirmation that the Department remains fully committed to all projects on the existing building programme and is progressing all as quickly as possible.

Minister English said “I will continue to work with my colleagues in Government to progress the new school building projects currently approved for St. Mary’s Special School, Colaiste na Mí Post Primary School (Phase ii), Lismullen National, Ard Rí Community National School, St. Ultan’s Special School & St. Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School. The Department of Education’s website is also being updated to ensure that the current status of existing major projects in the school building programme is set out in a more user-friendly format. The status of projects will be more regularly updated to reflect their progress as part of the €8.4 billion investment in school buildings under Project Ireland 2040.

ENDS

English welcomes positive news for Trim Educate Together N.S.

Saturday, 24th March 2018

Damien English T.D., the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, and
the Fine Gael T.D. for Meath West has welcomed the announcement from his
colleague the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D.
to sanction to expansion of the size of the student numbers at Trim
Educate Together National School within its current school site owing
to local demand.

“While the current temporary site has a limited footprint, and there will be
technical and planning issues to be dealt with by the school, this news from
Minister Bruton is an important acknowledgement by the Department of
Education and Skills of the huge work and commitment of the
Principal,Staff, Board of Management and Parent’s For the pupils who
wish to attend.  All of these different stakeholders have highlighted
the need and demand for this school in Trim and its surrounding area”
Minister English said.

He continued: “As a local T.D. and Minister I supported and will
continue to support their work on behalf of their current and future
pupils and children, and for the Trim town and surrounding areas,
which has a need for additional schools places.”

Minister English concluded: “Ultimately, the next step for Trim
Educate Together is to move to their new premises in the town of Trim.
This will be more suited for growth and education delivery.

ENDS

Minister English welcomes approval of extension to St Mary’s Convent Primary School, Trim

Friday, 7th July 2017

“As a local T.D. and Minister I welcome the news this week that St
Mary’s Convent Primary School, Trim has been given approval for
additional accommodation of 1 x 96m2 mainstream classroom with
ensuite toilets and 1 x WC for assisted users & 2 x 15m2 Special
Education Teacher/support rooms” Minister for Housing and Urban
Development Damien English has said.

Minister English, a former Minister of State at the Department of
Education went on to say: “i congratuldate the Principal and staff
team, the voluntary Board of Management, and the Parents’ Association
on securing a fantastic project which will benefit the children of
Trim and the wider community as well.”

The Meath West Fine Gael T.D. concluded: “During the bad times, and
now in the better times, Fine Gael in Government has prioritised
school building and school extension projects, especially in Meath
with its younger and fast growing population.  Education remains the
foundation stone of our economic and our social recovery, and will
ensure we remain competitive as a country for many years into the
future as well.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

No details are given of the amount of funding approved by the School
Building Unit, as the publication of the amount of grant aid
sanctioned could prejudice the tendering process for an individual
project.

The School Building Unit will issue detailed letters on the relevant
projects directly to the school authorities and these letters will
inform the school authorities of the amount of grant aid sanctioned by
the Department.

Minister English welcomes €1,866,495 in ICT funding for Meath and Westmeath schools

Meath West Fine Gael T.D. and Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal
Damien English has welcomed the news that Minister for Education and
Skills, Richard Bruton T.D., has today Tuesday 3rd January 2017
announced he will invest €30m in ICT infrastructure grants for all
primary and post-primary schools in the country.

According to Minister English, today’s investment will be worth €1,202,651 to Meath’s 123 primary and post primary schools and €663,844 to the 89 primary and post primary schools in Westmeath. This is a total of €1,866,495 between the 2 counties. No application is necessary and the payments are being made directly into the schools’ accounts.

Minister English stated: “This investment marks the start of the
implementation of the Government’s new €210 Million Digital Strategy
for Schools. This funding will support the development and
implementation of an eLearning Plan for each school to embed ICT into
teaching and learning. No matter what career a young person
contemplates, there is one thing for sure, digital technology is
revolutionising it. We want our young people in Meath West to be leading
this revolution and have the best prospects in life.”

Notes to Editor

The rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €22.20 per mainstream
pupil in primary schools, with additional per capita payments for
pupils in DEIS schools, Special Classes and Special Schools.

At post-primary, the rates payable are €2,000 per school plus €31.90 per
student, with an additional per capita payment for students in DEIS
schools. The grant is worth approximately €4,000 for a 100 pupil
school and approximately €11,000 for a 500 pupil school at primary
level. At post-primary level, the grant is worth circa €15,000 for a
500 student school, and over €27,000 for a 1,000 student school.

This is not an exhaustive list, and schools will be advised to
consider how best to support an eLearning Plan for their school in
allocating this funding. Advice and support for schools will be
available from the PDST Technology in Education website –
www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie.

Further information about the terms applying to this funding are
available at circular:

http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0001_2017.pdf

ENDS

Funding for 2 Meath West schools

2 Meath West schools have recently been approved for Emergency
Work/Access for All (Loreto Secondary School) and Additional
Accommodation (St. Brigid’s NS, Cortown – 1 X 80m2 mainstream
classroom inc en-suite& 1 x WC for assisted users).

There are also 2 schools in Meath East – St. Peter’s College,
Dunboyne and Yellow Furze NS, Beauparc, Navan.

Minister English stated: “I congratulate the Principals, Boards of
Management and Parent Associations of St. Brigid’s NS, Cortown and
Loreto Secondary School in Navan for seeking this vital funding for
their students and staff. Fine Gael in Government since 2011 have
prioritised funding for Education, especially for providing new school
buildings and new facilities that are needed locally.  Education is
the driver of a sustainable economy and of of our local communities,
especially our rural communities.  I will continue to work with Meath
West based schools for additional necessary resources in the New Year
and beyond.

No details are given of the amount of funding approved by the School
Building Unit, as the publication of the amount of grant aid
sanctioned could prejudice the tendering process for an individual
project.

The School Building Unit of the Department of Education will issue
detailed letters on the relevant projects directly to the school
authorities and these letters will inform the school authorities of
the amount of grant aid sanctioned by the Department.

Minister English congratulates O’Growney N.S., Athboy on new extension

Monday, 17th October 2016

Log on to my Facebook to see some pictures from the event: https://www.facebook.com/damien.english.10/posts/656554431184975

“It was a pleasure as a local T.D. for Meath West, and as a recent
former Minister of State in the Department of Education with an
interest in this project, to attend at the blessing of the new
extension to O’Growney N.S. Athboy by the Most Rev. Bishop Michael Smith.
The staff team led by Principal John Brennan and Deputy Principal Mary
Kearney, the voluntary Board of Management, Parents’ Association and
their students are all to be complimented on seeing through a
fantastic project which will benefit and uplift the whole community of
Athboy” stated local Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal Damien
English T.D. after attending the blessing of the new O’Growney N.S.
Athboy extension last week.

The project at O’Growney National School consisted of the construction
of a new 16 classroom school and ancillary accommodation and
equipment/furnishings, part demolition of the existing school building
and retention of the protected part of the existing building. The
project commenced on site on 18th May 2015 and the school building was
handed over on 21st June 2016 with all external work completed by the
19th September 2016 for its official opening last week.

ENDS

UCD Student Accommodation – Official Opening of Ashfield

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Belfield Campus

23 August 2016

Speech by Minister Damian English, T.D., Minister of State for Housing & Planning 

President, elected representatives, other guests.

I’m glad to be here today to mark this very important launch for UCD and for the surrounding area and community, as we open the new residences and see the university’s strategic vision for on-campus development in the period ahead mapped out in the new masterplan.

It’s perhaps easy to overlook just how important UCD is in economic terms to the wider Dublin area. But it is worth noting that every day some 31,000 students, staff and visitors attend UCD’s Belfield campus. With the on-campus residences now expanded to over 3,000, this means that 28,000 people commute to campus every day.

So Belfield has the same day-time population as Bray, Navan, Ennis or Kilkenny.  This size of population, living and working in such a defined area, really needs to have very clear, and very good urban planning.

The origin of the Belfield campus dates back to the 18th century with the development of a number of estate houses and their associated lands.  In the 1930s the purchase of lands at Belfield provided sports facilities for the university and the President of UCD, Michael Tierney spearheaded a strategic acquisition of lands over the coming decades so that the expanding university could develop this beautiful campus we see today.

The first education buildings for the science faculty were constructed in the 1960s.  This centre has in recent years undergone a massive transformation.  Phases 1 and 2 of the science centre have now been completed, providing facilities for 2,000 students and researchers and I know the President has prioritised the development of Phase 3 in the current campus plan.

As we walked through the Newman Building today President Deeks outlined UCD’s plans to strengthen and consolidate the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.  These academic disciplines provide a stream of evidence-based research, particularly in the areas of societal and public health needs, for policy makers and Government.  As a national institution and a public university, UCD has always contributed to public policy and I welcome the President’s commitment to continuing that role.

I am also encouraged by the University’s ambition to transform the Newman Arts building and the James Joyce Library into a more public space where cultural activities and public exhibitions can take place.  We have seen how the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Lexicon Library has had a transformational impact in terms of creating a place of discovery, education and entertainment for the community.  I know the library staff at UCD were very involved in the planning for the Lexicon and welcome the University’s plans to open up UCD’s cultural resources to the general public.

The wider public also has a stake in the opening of the Ashfield Residences.   The timing of their completion is most welcome as the shortage of housing continues to affect not just students but families.

As Minister Coveney has already outlined, living on campus can bring a lot of benefits for students.

• By prioritising first years, UCD has recognised that many students leaving home for the first time do not have a social network and providing on-campus residence lets them settle in to university as well as removing anxiety for worried parents.
• On-campus residence takes pressure off the private rental sector and means that families in particular don’t have to compete with students for much sought-after houses.
• On-campus residences are generally more affordable to students as they only pay for 38 weeks rather than having to take 12-month leases.   The cost of accommodation on campus compares favourably with the private sector, especially when costs such as light, heat, waste, transport, and high speed wifi are included.  UCD ring fences the rental from residences so that it is channelled back into maintenance and new construction for the students.  UCD on-campus accommodation rates for the academic year range from €5,721 – €7,929 (€10,305 catered), all including utilities.  Ashfield is set at €7,929.
• On-campus residences are built and maintained to a set high standard.  No grotty bedsits with mould on the ceiling and grubby carpets here!

Looking to the future, it’s heartening to see that the university is already well advanced on planning for the future development of the campus. Good urban planning should always incorporate the ideals of sustainability and the UCD campus is an exemplar of sustainable development.

The University’s focus on sustainability can be seen in the O’Brien Centre for Science, which achieved a BREEAM Excellent design award in sustainability, in the Roebuck Castle Student Residences which are certified to Passivhaus standard, and  here in the new Ashfield Residences which incorporate low-energy design, a significant solar energy installation, rainwater harvesting and features a “green” roof.

I want to wish the university every continued success, to wish returning and new students good luck for the coming academic year and a particular good luck and welcome to the first students to take up residence here in Ashfield. I’m sure it will make a fantastic new home for you, and with these great laundry facilities there’s no excuse for bringing home the bags of washing!

Minister English officially opens 2 class room extension to Castlepollard Community College last Friday

On Friday  8th January Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation
Damien English T.D. officially visited Castlepollard College to open
their new extension, raise the school’s 3rd Green flag and sample the
formal and informal curriculum of the school. He was joined by local
Fine Gael Councillor and Chairman of the Board of Management Frank
McDermott, as well as other local public representatives, BOM members,
ETB members, other local School Principals and parents.

On 27th March, 2013, Longford and Westmeath Education & Training Board
was sanctioned a grant under the Department’s 2013 Additional
Accommodation Scheme to provide 2 additional 49m2 classrooms at
Castlepollard Community College.

Additional funding was approved for the provision of car parking and
set-down and for additional site works at the school.

Savings achieved in the construction budget were used towards the cost
of a fire alarm system upgrade, and a furniture grant of €5,000.00 was
also been approved.

The total grant approved for this building project is €374,288.83.

The classrooms have now been constructed and were occupied in September 2015.

Major building project:

Minister of State at the Department of Education Damien English also
announced details on Tuesday, 17th November 2015, of the major school
building projects that are scheduled to proceed to construction over
the next six years, as part of the Government’s €2.8 billion capital
investment programme. A project for Castlepollard Community College
was included in this announcement. It is envisaged that construction
will commence in 2018, as outlined in the programme.

See some pictures from the visit on Facebook:

Minister Jan O’Sullivan T.D. visits St. Fintina’s Post Primary in Longwood

This Thursday, my colleague in the Department of Education, Minister Jan O’Sullivan T.D. visited St. Fintina’s Post Primary School in Longwood. We toured the building which first opened in 1953, and sampled aspects of the formal and non formal life of the school, meeting students, Student Council, parents, staff and BOM members, all of whom are looking forward to the new purpose built building opening later this year which we also toured under construction. Former Labour Cllr. Tracey McElhinney and local Fine Gael Cllr. Joe Fox also attended. You can see some pictures on my Facebook page below:

Enfield’s case for a 2nd level school has been recognised

As part of the Schools Capital Programme, I am also happy that the need for a new Secondary School for Enfield is now accepted and to be studied. This is something I have worked hard on, with the support of local Councillor Enda Flynn, and former Councillor Willie Carey.

Enfield is included under the category ‘other areas where additional provision may be required’.  A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under ongoing review.  At post-primary level, it is apparent at this point that this ongoing demographic analysis will include areas such as Enfield (Kilcock feeder area). Additional provision may be required post 2018 based on this ongoing analysis. I am glad that Enfield is now recognised as an area under consideration given the growth in primary school pupils in the town and its environs.