Dublin Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Hansfield SDZ Will Cater For 2,500 School Children

Published: 12 December, 2006

DublinWest Sinn Féin Councillor Felix Gallagher has urged the Department of Education to secure sufficient lands for car parking and parental drop-off into the school sites for the Hansfield SDZ. The special development zone will cater for a 1,000 pupil secondary school and up to 48 primary school classes in either two or three schools.

Cllr. Gallagher said "This is a significant provision of school places and it is to be welcomed that these schools will be built in permanent buildings in conjunction with residential units. However I have urged officials from the Department of Education to ensure that adequate provision is made for parking and drop-off for parents. Potentially this school site will cater up to 2,500 pupils and the potential for traffic chaos is extremely high. The Department needs to learn the lessons from the nightmare experience in areas such as Littlepace, St Patrick's Diswellstown and Huntstown.

Councillor Gallagher also revealed that the Council has purchased 1.8 acres of land adjacent to the proposed two-school site in nearby Ongar. This site faces significant opposition due to the original access point and lack of parking. However, securing this extra acreage should allow for access from the Hansfield/Ongar Road area without going through residential areas.