Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has today (Friday) vowed to drive a campaign to improve education facilities on the Curragh. Deputy Heydon was speaking following his debate with Minister Richard Burton on the subject in the Dail yesterday where he outlined his vision for a new education campus in the Curragh.
“Within the Curragh camp we have three education facilities that share many attributes. The Curragh Post primary ETB school, the boys national school and the girls national school all have dedicated principals, great staff & pupils and are providing strong education in sub-standard accommodation.
Deputy Heydon described the Dickensian conditions in the post primary school along with leaking roofs, plumbing issues and sub standard facilities in both primary schools providing a sharp contrast to what we expect of education facilities today.
“I have a vision for a new education campus on the Curragh to incorporate both primary and post primary buildings on a green field site which would provide the improved facilities which are needed. This is an ambitious project that will require the buy in of all stakeholders.
“To date I have had discussions with officials in both the Department of Defence and Department of Education, as well as representatives of KWETB, the Defence Forces, Church Authorities and the principals of all three schools. I have also discussed the project with my colleague Defence Minister Paul Keogh and yesterday I asked Education Minister Richard Burton to ensure that his Department engage proactively with the Department of Defence to set out a roadmap for the project. Minister Bruton under took to follow this up with his officials and to examine the possibility of such a venture, through the existing school planning process.
Deputy Heydon later stated, “There are many pressures on education facilities in Kildare South and improved facilities on the Curragh would help address some of this pressure, particularly at second level in the Newbridge area, as well as providing the standard of facilities that are needed.
“This is the start of a process but I am committed to leading the way to ensure that my vision becomes a reality by bringing all parties together and driving a campaign for improved education facilities on the Curragh, which are long overdue.