£4.4m school for Dublin

A £4.4 million community college is to be built at Waterford Street Sean McDermott Street, Dublin

A £4.4 million community college is to be built at Waterford Street Sean McDermott Street, Dublin. It is expected to open in September 1999.

The projected long-term enrolment is 600 pupils. The school will replace existing facilities at Parnell Square and North Strand.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, made the announcement yesterday. He said the second-level school, which would be under the aegis of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, would provide the most modern facilities in the heart of the city.

It will have 18 specialised rooms (metalwork rooms, science laboratories and language laboratory), eight general classrooms and relevant ancillary accommodation.

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A sports hall will be part of the project and will be jointly financed by the Department of Education and Science and Dublin Corporation.

Construction will commence as soon as all the necessary formalities regarding the placing of the contract have been completed.

"The progress of our society and the life chances of future generations depend on education," Mr Ahern said. "Our education system must be inclusive and it must be responsive.

"We must always ensure that no group is left behind, caught in the cycle of disadvantage accentuated by poor educational attainment. The Government is absolutely committed to using education as a means of promoting an inclusive society and this announcement today is proof of this commitment."

The chairman of the City of Dublin VEC, Senator Joe Costello, said he was delighted the school had finally been given the green light.

"The campaign to establish this college has been going on for nearly 20 years and today's decision represents a great victory for the people of inner city Dublin."