Call made to prioritise approval for Waterford school development

A call has been made for the Government to prioritise "rapid approval" of a planned school development in Waterford.

Sinn Féin TD, Deputy David Cullinane has called on the Government to ensure that new school developments in Waterford are prioritised for urgent approval and not held back by delays and red tape.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, May 27, he asked the Taoiseach to intervene in delays facing Newtown School, which is ready to progress to tender and construction for a new school building to expand school capacity, but is facing delays from the Department of Education despite having completed designs.

Commenting to the Taoiseach on the matter, Deputy Cullinane said: "Taoiseach, I want to raise with you the urgent need for approval for Newtown School in Waterford to proceed with tender and construction for a new school building. 

"The school has served Waterford for two centuries. It entered the Free Education Scheme when it agreed to expand to accommodate 600 students, funded by the Department. The school is under increasing pressure because of the deteriorating condition of its existing buildings."

“The old building is in urgent need of emergency works and a new development is needed to accommodate the growing student numbers," said Deputy Cullinane.

"This project has been in progress for over a decade and detailed design is complete, but they are left waiting for the department to sign off and authorise them to progress to tender, construction, and move forward," he added.

Deputy Cullinane then asked that the Taoiseach prioritise the Newtown School development project and to ensure the department responds to the school’s request to progress to tender and construction.

He also called on the Taoiseach to ensure urgent emergency works are carried out to address immediate health and safety concerns.

Commenting after the Dáil debate, Deputy Cullinane said: "The Minister for Education must prioritise rapid approval of development proposals for Waterford schools. Waterford schools need rapid approval for ready-to-go projects like this to expand our schools and ensure enough places for all of our children in the school of their family’s choice."

“We have a growing population and schools are bursting at the seams," he said.

"The Government must prioritise investment in our schools and end delays," he added.