Action group needed to support Tyrrelstown

Dublin West TD Joan Burton has called on Leo Varadkar to set up an action group to address the needs of students, parents, and teachers in Tyrrelstown following the closure of two schools and a community centre in Dublin West.

Speaking today Deputy Burton said:

“I am calling on Taoiseach Varadkar to immediately set up an action group to address the concerns of students, parents, and teachers following the closure of two schools (Tyrrelstown Educate Together and St. Luke’s National School) along with a community centre in Tyrrelstown. There was a palpable sense of shock and dismay from teachers and parents alike when I visited the campus today.

“The communities affected are incredibly proud of the academic achievements of these schools. Today’s closure notice due to structural concerns about the buildings is having a shattering impact on the public and families.

“In addition to the loss of their children’s school, some are loosing also pre-school and after-school care for children. Many of the families are reliant on these as part of their childcare arrangements. The need for action for families is immediate and I hope my local constituency colleague, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar allows no substantial amount of time to lapse before this is dealt with.

“I will also hope that employers locally would appreciate that this bolt from the blue will have a major impact on the childcare arrangements of most working parents with children in the school and that they will show their employees an appropriate level of understanding.

“That is why I am calling on the Taoiseach to urgently establish an action group to deal with these issues. We can’t allow it to go on for weeks.”