Statement from Dr Cathal Berry TD – Update on New Secondary School for Kildare

While any investment in secondary school infrastructure in South Kildare is to be welcomed, this is a bitter sweet announcement for the Curragh PPS. The school has educated generations of teenagers and soldiers in the Camp for almost 90 years and the 7km move to Kildare Town will greatly inconvenience a number of families who lack transport of their own. The villages of Suncroft, Athgarvan, Maddenstown, Brownstown and more are also affected. My strong preference would have been a site closer to the Curragh Camp.
Also, the lack of secondary school places in the Newbridge/Athgarvan area is not adequately addressed by this announcement.
I will be attending a meeting with Minister Norma Foley this evening and will be raising my concerns in respect of transport to the new school, the new school’s name, and the acute shortage of school places in the area for next September.