THE CLOSURE of schools from June will see the beginning of minor refurbishment works taking place in ten local schools, thanks to the Department of Education's Summer Works Scheme. I am delighted to reveal that a number of primary and post-primary schools in Lusk, Swords, Malahide, Balbriggan and Portmarnock will all benefit from the scheme which sees minor - but vitally important - repairs being taken care of whilst pupils are on their summer recess, so no disruptions take place.

I have fought hard at senior Government level to raise resources for schools in our locality; Swords, Malahide, Balbriggan, Lusk in particular, as well as across the county. This is because I believe that education is our gateway to future economic and social development, and I will be fighting to get more and more central Government resources into local Dublin North schools for projects, large and small.

The go-ahead has been given for repair works - which including roof repairs, electrical and mechanical repairs, window repair and replacement and conversion work - at the following schools:

· Blessed Oliver NS, Balbriggan
· Senior National School Lusca, Lusk
· Senior National School Colmcille B, Swords
· Brackenstown Senior National School, Sword
· John Paul II Senior National School, Malahide

Similar repairs will feature in the following port-primary schools;

· Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan
· Balbriggan Community College, Balbriggan
· St Finian's Community College, Swords
· Portmarnock Community College, Portmarnock

Fingal Community College is also set to receive a new science lab under the new works.

These works will not only benefit the staff and pupils of each of these schools, but also the wider community, members of which also use school facilities for a range of purposes.

Please also visit: www.michaelkennedy.ie/news/donabate.htm

Michael KENNEDY discusses Dublin North's education needs with Mary Hanafin T.D. (Minister for Education & Science)

March 2007