Stagg Continues to Pressurise Coughlan to appoint Design Team for New St. Patricks N.S.
Issued : Monday 11 October, 2010
Areas : Celbridge
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Tanaiste and Minister for Education in relation to the appointment of a Design Team for the New St. Patricks N.S. on the Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge.
The Tanaiste in her response to Deputy Stagg stated that it was not possible to give an indicative timeframe for progression of the project at this time.
Reacting to the Tanaiste`s response Deputy Stagg stated that Outline Planning Permission had been granted for the school nearly a year ago and the site was formally acquired 10 months ago. The Project has been assigned a Band 1 rating which indicates that it is a priority. Whilst the existing temporary accommodation was satisfactory Deputy Stagg stated that he was disappointed that the process of getting a permanent 16 classroom school was being stalled by the Government. To get the best standard of Education for our children we need to educate them in state of the art permanent schools.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg indicated that he would continue to raise this issue with the Tanaiste until a Design Team was appointed.
26th JULY, 2010 - Coughlan Refuses to Appoint Design Team for New St. Patricks N.S.
Deputy Emmet Stagg questioned the Tanaiste and Minister for Education in relation to the appointment of a Design Team for the New St. Patrick`s National School on the Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge.
The Tanaiste in her response to Deputy Stagg stated that the project was assigned a Band 1 rating which indicates that it is a Priority but regretfully indicated that it was not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project.
Commenting on the Ministers response, Deputy Stagg stated that the site for the new school was purchased in January 2010 and whilst the existing temporary accommodation was satisfactory, a permanent new school was what was required for the pupils to ensure they got the best standard of education possible.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that he would continue to pressurise the Tanaiste on this issue.
29th JANUARY, 2010 - Stagg Pleased at Purchase of Site for New St. Patricks N.S. - No Progress on Design Team though
Deputy Emmet Stagg questioned the Minister for Education in relation to the closing of the purchase of the Site for the New St. Patricks National School on the Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge, and the appointment of a Design Team for the new school.
The Minister advised Deputy Stagg that the sale had closed in relation to the purchase of the required site but then stated that further progression of the proposed project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to the Department for school buildings generally.
Whilst welcoming the closure of the site acquisition, Deputy Stagg stated that the non appointment of a Design Team for the new 16 classroom school was worrying. The existing temporary school is of a satisfactory standard but a permanent school is required.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he sincerely hoped that the Minister was not going to drag his feet on the New Permanent School for St. Patricks`s National School by refusing to appoint a Design Team for the project and he vowed to continue to raise the issue with the Minister.
14th NOVEMBER, 2009 - Stagg Welcomes Go Ahead on Purchase of Site for St. Patrick's N.S. but Disappointed at Minister`s Response on Design Team
Deputy Emmet Stagg questioned the Minister for Education in relation to the finalisation of the purchase of the site for the New St. Patricks National School on the Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge, and the appointment of a Design Team for the New School.
The Minister advised Deputy Stagg that the VEC has been told that they can finalise the contract for the purchase of the site for the new school but then stated that further progression of the proposed project will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to the Department for school buildings generally.
Whilst welcoming the acquisition of the site, Deputy Stagg stated that the non appointment of a Design Team for the new 16 classroom school was worrying. The existing temporary school is of a satisfactory standard but a permanent school is required. It took the Minister 1 ½ years to appoint a Design Team for the New Ardclough National School after the site was purchased and 3 ½ years on from the site purchase that school has still not cleared architectural planning within the bureaucratic Department of Education.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he sincerely hoped that the Minister was not going to drag his feet on the New Permanent School for St. Patricks`s National School by imposing such time delays and he vowed to continue to raise the issue with the Minister.
4th NOVEMBER, 2009 - Stagg Welcomes Grant of Outline PLanning Permission for St. Patrick`s N.S. - Tells Minister to get on with Detailed Design for school
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the decision by Kildare Co. Council of November 3rd to grant outline planning permission for the provision of a new 16 Classroom National School at The Commons, Hazelhatch Road, Celbridge to replace the existing temporary St. Patricks National School at Celbridge GAA Grounds.
The site for the permanent school stated Deputy Stagg is located directly to the right as you enter the Celbridge GAA Grounds and the proposal also includes designated ball courts, a playing pitch and a junior play area.
Given the decision by the Council to indicate that the site is acceptable in principle for the National School Deputy Stagg stated that he was now calling on the Minister to ensure that detailed designs were now prepared and that full planning permission be sought as soon as possible.
Whilst the existing temporary accommodation for St. Patricks N.S. is of a satisfactory standard Deputy Stagg stated that there is nothing to compare to a permanent school and he vowed to continue to press the Minister on this issue.
13th JULY, 2009 - Approval To Purchase A Site for Permanent St. Patricks`s National School Issues - Negotiations at advanced stage
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Minister for Education in relation to the purchase of a site for the provision of a Permanent School for St. Patricks N.S., in Celbridge, which presently operates in temporary accommodation at Celbridge G.A.A.
The Minister has advised Deputy Stagg that his Department recently sanctioned approval for Co. Kildare VEC to purchase a site for the school and that negotiations are at an advanced stage.
Welcoming this positive news Deputy Stagg stated that similar negotiations were suspended by the Government in March 2008 and he hoped that finally a site can be sourced for the permanent school. Lands have been zoned between the Ardclough and Hazlehatch Roads for Educational use since 2002 and hopefully these are the lands under negotiation at present.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg stated that he would continue to apply pressure on the Minister for Education until the site was acquired.
7th OCTOBER, 2008 - Purchase of Site for Permanent St. Patrick`s National School Put on Long Finger
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Minister for Education in relation to the purchase of a site for the Permanent School for the new St. Patrick`s National School in Celbridge.
The Minister in responding to Deputy Stagg refused to state whether negotiations in relation to the purchase of the site had been re-opened and stated that it was not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the acquisition of the school site at this time given competing demands on his Departments Capital Budget.
Deputy Stagg stated that from the Minister`s response it is quite obvious that negotiations on the purchase of the site have not re-opened and that the purchase of the site has now been put on the long finger by the FF/Green/PD Government.
Whilst the present temporary accommodation at Celbridge G.A.A. will probably suffice for the moment Deputy Stagg stated that it looks like the Government are going to condemn a number of generations of school children to receive their schooling in this temporary accommodation. This is unacceptable and means that the Minister and his Department have misled both the parents and pupils of the school and Kildare Co. Council who were assured, when granting planning permission for the temporary school, that permanent accommodation would be provided as quickly as possible.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg indicated that he would continue to raise this issue with the Minister.
20th JULY, 2008 - Minister Refuses to Answer Stagg over St. Patrick`s National School Site
Deputy Emmet Stagg questioned the Minister for Education in relation to the suspension of negotiations on the purchase of a site for a permanent school for St. Patricks`s National School in Celbridge and whether or not he intended to mislead Kildare Co. Council during the planning process for the temporary school when commitments were given on a site purchase.
Disappointingly but unsurprisingly the Minister avoided answering Deputy Stagg and simply stated ‘The acquisition of a site for the school in question will be considered in the context of the capital budget available to my Department. I am not in a position to say at this stage when the acquisition will be concluded'.
Deputy Stagg described the Minister`s response as pathetic as if he was above the planning laws and refused to answer the breach of faith with Kildare Co. Council and pupils of the temporary school.
What we have in this instance is typical of FF and their mindset is fixed firmly in the minds of their civil servants now where you promise everything and deliver nothing.
A generation of Schoolchildren from Celbridge attending St. Patrick`s National School will now be taught in prefabricated classrooms because of the failure of FF to deliver on school building provision.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he intended to continue to pester the Minister on this issue until their was a change in his attitude.
27th MAY, 2008 - Stagg Disappointed at Governments Reneging on Purchase of Site for St. Patrick`s National School
Deputy Emmet Stagg sought an update from the Minister for Education by way of Parliamentary Question on the position in relation to the negotiations being conducted by Co. Kildare V.E.C. for the acquisition of a site for a permanent school for the New St. Patrick`s National School in Celbridge.The Minister advised Deputy Stagg on Thursday 22nd May in the Dail as follows: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department has been in recent communication with the VEC in relation to the negotiations for the site in question. The conclusion of same can only be considered in the context of the Department`s multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.' The response immediately worried Deputy Stagg and he contacted the Department of Education`s Site Acquisition Section and questioned the wording of the Minister`s response. Deputy Stagg was advised that Kildare V.E.C. had been told to hold off for the moment on the site acquisition as the site was not required to be purchased in 2008. In other words the Department do not see the site acquisition as a priority.
Deputy Stagg has reacted angrily to the decision to renege on the promise given at the time when planning permission was acquired for the Temporary School at the Celbridge G.A.A. Grounds on the Hatch Road, when the Department stated ‘As a matter of Policy, the Department moves away from a temporary accommodation situation as quickly as possible. In this regard, it has identified and is separately pursuing a site for a permanent school building through your office (Mr. Tommy Skehan). It would be the Department`s intention to develop this or whatever site is acquired in the fastest timeframe possible to minimise temporary accommodation use.'
It is obvious stated Deputy Stagg that the Government have no intention of honouring their commitment in relation to the early acquisition of a site and the building of a Permanent New School for St. Patrick`s National School. They are prepared to see further Generation`s of schoolchildren taught in Prefabricated classrooms. Having squandered the boom the Government now intend to make children and their parents suffer through the inadequate provision of national schools.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he intended to remind the Minister for Education of his duties to the children of this new school and will be seeking a reversal of the decision to suspend the Site Acquisition Negotiations.
23rd APRIL, 2008 - Co. Kildare VEC Leading Negotiations on Acquisition of Site for Permanent St. Patrick`s N.S.
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Minister for Education in relation the acquisition of a site for a permanent school for the New St. Patrick`s National School in Celbridge.
The Minister has now advised Deputy Stagg that the negotiations regarding the acquisition of the identified site are ongoing and are currently being led by Co. Kildare V.E.C. The V.E.C.`s involvement in the negotiations means that the site will also be used for a new secondary school for Celbridge
Deputy Stagg stated that the negotiations are ongoing now for 2 months and it was time a deal was struck for the purchase of a site for the new school.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg indicated that he would continue to monitor progress on the site acquisition and vowed to hold the Minister to her promise that a permanent school would be developed in the fastest timeframe possible once a site was acquired.
19th MARCH, 2008 - Site Identified for Permanent St. Patrick`s National School - Negotiations Underway
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to pressurise the Minister for Education in relation to the purchase of a site for a permanent school for the New St. Patrick's National School in Celbridge.
The Minister advised Deputy Stagg in the Dail on Thursday 14th March that a suitable site has been identified for the school and that negotiations are ongoing regarding its acquisition.
Welcoming this positive move forward Deputy Stagg expressed the hope that a deal would be concluded shortly and he warned the Minister that he would hold her to the promise made when planning permission was acquired for the Temporary School at the Celbridge G.A.A. Grounds that it was her intention to develop whatever site was acquired for the Permanent School in the fastest timeframe possible.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg vowed to continue to monitor progress on the Site Acquisition.
11th FEBRUARY, 2008 - Purchase of Site for Permanent St. Patricks National School Must be Prioritised
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Minister for Education in relation to the purchase of a site for a permanent school for the New St. Patrick`s National School in Celbridge.
The Minister for Education has advised Deputy Stagg that ‘Site identification and acquisition procedures are ongoing in relation to a site for a permanent home for the school'.
Expressing disappointment at the delay in purchasing a site Deputy Stagg stated that after 9 months of discussions one would have thought that a deal would have been concluded by now. The fact that a deal has not been finalised leads one to the conclusion that the purchase of a site is not been prioritised.
This stated Deputy Stagg is not good enough and he vowed to continue to pressurise the Minister on this issue.
1st DECEMBER, 2007 - Stagg Keeps Up the Pressure on Purchase of site for Permanent St. Patricks National School
Deputy Emmet Stagg has continued to question the Minister for Education in relation to the purchase of a site for a permanent school for the New St. Patrick`s National School in Celbridge
In questioning the Minister, Deputy Stagg pointed out that last May the Department had identified a potential site and were pursuing it. In response the Minister for Education advised Deputy Stagg that discussions were on-going with Kildare Co. Council in relation to a site for a permanent home for the school.
Expressing disappointment at the delay in purchasing a site Deputy Stagg stated that after 7 months of discussions one would have thought that a deal would have been concluded by now.
The Minister also advised Deputy Stagg that the School will move from its present temporary accommodation at the Old St. Wolstans school on the Dublin Road to new temporary accommodation at Celbridge G.A.A. Grounds in April, 2008.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg vowed to continue to pressurise the Minister until a site was purchased for the permanent school.
23rd OCTOBER, 2007 - Stagg Welcomes Grant of Planning Permission for Temporary St. Patricks National School - Purchase of Site for Permanent School must be prioritised now
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the early decision by Kildare Co. Council to grant planning permission for the 16 classroom temporary prefabricated St. Patrick`s Primary school at Celbridge G.A.A. Grounds on the Hazelhatch Road.
The school stated Deputy Stagg which has 90 pupils is presently operating on a temporary basis from the Old St. Wolstan`s School on the Dublin Road, Celbridge.
With the permission now granted it is hoped that the move to the Hazelhatch Road site can proceed as planned in January, 2008.
The permission granted is for a period of 5 years and the purchase of a site for a permanent new school must be stepped up now stated Deputy Stagg. According to documents lodged with the planning application the Department of Education have indicated that they have identified a potential site and are separately pursuing same. The Department also indicated that it was their intention to develop this site or whatever site is acquired in the fastest time possible to minimise temporary accommodation use and Deputy Stagg has vowed to hold them to their words on this matter.
2nd OCTOBER, 2007 - Stagg Not Satisfied at Progress in Purchasing Site for New National School - St. Patrick`s
Deputy Emmet Stagg questioned the Minister for Education in relation to the number of meetings held with officials in Kildare Co. Council in relation to sourcing a site for the Permanent St. Patrick`s National School in Celbridge, which is presently temporarily located at the old St. Wolstans Girls school on the Dublin Road and is expected to have a second temporary home at Celbridge G.A.A. after Christmas.
The Minister advised Deputy Stagg that the school has 79 pupils at present and that discussions were ongoing with Kildare Co. Council in relation to a site for a permanent home for the school.
Deputy Stagg expressed his dissatisfaction with the response which raises serious concerns about the commitment by the Department to secure a site and build a Permanent New School. The lax attitude, given that a site was zoned for a new school near Simmonstown in the Celbridge Development Plan 2002, gives a clear indication that the Department are happy to leave the pupils of this new school in prefabs for a very long time. Why the Department are not now purchasing this site immediately is typical of the laidback attitude of this Minister to the provision of urgently needed basic facilities. Given the Minister`s record in this area it will be 10 years and two tranche's of pupils in unsuitable prefabs before a permanent fully equipped school is provided.
Deputy Stagg indicated that he intended to raise this issue with the Minister further until he got real action.
25th JULY, 2007 - Temporary Location For New St. Patrick`s National School Agreed - Further Temporary Location in 2008 - 7 Month Delay in Granting Recognition Criticised
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the sourcing of a Temporary site for the New National School for Celbridge, St. Patricks, which is to be located at the Old St. Wolstans School on the Dublin Road, Celbridge up until Christmas where it will then move to Celbridge G.A.A. Grounds on the Hatch Road, again in a temporary capacity in prefabs.
Deputy Stagg praised the work of the Celbridge Parish Office in securing a site so that pupils will be able to commence their education in September and offered his assistance along with his colleague Cllr. Kevin Byrne in securing planning permission for the move to Celbridge G.A.A. To date a School Principal and Teachers have been hired so the Parish Office has successfully resourced a site and staff at this time. A permanent location for the school however remains to be resolved.
Deputy Stagg clearly laid the blame for the pressure which the Parish Office was put under at the feet of the Education Minister Mary Hanafin. On 20th September, 2006 Celbridge Parish advised the Department of their intention to set up the new National School and 7 months later the Minister agreed to their request. This 7 month gap where Hanafin sat on her hands and allowed the problem to escalate has led us to the present position where the school will operate from 2 different locations in its first school year.
In conclusion Deputy Stagg indicated that he was available along with Cllr. Kevin Byrne to assist the Parish Office in securing a permanent site if required.
24th APRIL, 2007 - Stagg Welcomes Sanctioning of New Primary School for Celbridge
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the announcement today by the Minister for Education of a new Primary School for Celbridge, St. Patrick`s, to be located in the Hazelhatch area of Celbridge.
Deputy Stagg had tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Minister last week on foot of numerous contacts from concerned parents who had been unable to find places for their children in the 5 mainstream national schools in Celbridge. Upwards of 60 pupils had no place to start school this September.
Now that the school has been sanctioned, and lets hope its not like the Fianna Fail swindle in Naas some years ago when a New School was promised repeatedly over 3 elections and even signs were put up at the site, the critical thing now stated Deputy Stagg was the location of the school. Lands are zoned in the Hazelhatch Area for a New School as provided for in the Celbridge Development Plan 2002 and the Department must immediately move to purchase these lands.
16th APRIL, 2007 - STAGG DEMANDS NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR CELBRIDGE
Deputy Emmet Stagg has criticised the Minister for Education for allowing problems to arise in the Provision of Primary Education in Celbridge, where a crisis is now developing where upwards of 60 pupils have no place in either of the 5 National Schools for next September.
In addition as development continues in Celbridge, particularly in the Hatch Road area additional overcrowding is occurring as new pupils arrive for some of the more senior classes, in effect joining already packed out classrooms. Deputy Stagg stated that there are only 18 pupils in Celbridge, out of a total of 2,110 who are in classes of less than 20 and the average class size over the 5 mainstream schools in Celbridge is 27.8.
Deputy Stagg stated that a Study Commissioned by the Minister for Education on School Accommodation in the N4/M4 Area, published in May 2005, had concluded that a new National School would not be required in Celbridge until after 2011. This conclusion is flawed given the crisis now developing stated Deputy Stagg.
Deputy Stagg outlined that a site was specifically zoned for a New National School in the Simmonstown/Hazelhatch Road area under the Celbridge Development Plan 2002. This site cannot be used for anything other than Educational needs and he called on the Minister for Education to immediately purchase the site and set in train the planning and construction of a new 16 classroom National School for Celbridge.
Deputy Stagg concluded by stating that he intended to raise the issue with the Minister for Education in the Dail next week.
