Public meeting on Star of the Sea School- Minister disappoints

Parents and concerned residents were pleasantly surprised by the appearance of Minister Michael Martin at tonight’s public meeting in Star of the Sea primary school. However they were equally disappointed by his lack of commitment, his poor grasp of the facts and his bully boy tactics in shouting down ladies in the audience to make his own point.

The minister denied ever promising a new school, making semantic distinctions about “being approached by the board of management” and giving “sanction” for the project while not committing to it.

Where is our new School- Website launched

As the fight for a replacement for Star of the Sea primary school intensifies members of the parents association have launched a website of their own complete with online petition! I would urge everyone to visit the site and sign the petition.

 http://whereisournewschool.com/ 

A protest held on Monday 10th of March was well supported with 250 protestors and a large amount of local and national media. A public meeting is scheduled for April 14th. More details to follow here and on http://whereisournewschool.com/

Please take the time to read the site sign the petition.

No hope for Star of the Sea School, Passage?

Since starting this site the primary concern of most people in the town has been the lack of progress on the Star of the Sea school redevelopment.

Most of us will have received information in our letter boxes telling us that the government parties are looking into the issue and that the school has been moved from one design phase to another…. Well this is not the case! 

Good news for Rochestown but fury in Passage West at lack of progress on Star of the Sea School.

The following item comes courtesy of Simon Coveney TD.

This week parents have expressed anger, disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress in relation to the promised new Star of the Sea Primary School in Passage West.

No Money in Budget for Passage School

Last weeks budget contained no funds to start building the long awaited and promised primary school in Passage West.

As reported here on www.harbourviews.net in October, the school was promised when

Idea’s wanted for new town development

Passage West Town Council will be meeting next week to discuss ideas for a community center/civic building in the new Howard Holding’s development. The development will be on the site of the Royal Victoria Dockyard (Haulbowline Industries) and impressive plans were displayed earlier this week.

New Passage West Town Centre

Howard Holdings Public Display

Plans for Passage Wests new town centre incorporating townhouses, apartments, hotel, marina, retail units and car parking are going on public display this week in the old credit union building.

On Wednesday December 5th from 4pm-9pm and Thursday December 6th from 10am-3pm.

 

Information can now be found on http://www.pwtc.ie/

Star of the Sea NS… whats really going on?

No one seems to know what’s really going on with regard to the new primary school that Passage was promised a decade ago. Before the election we were informed that the project had been moved to the “design stage.” So surely we could expect some progress?Not so.

The issue is obviously one of the burning topics for many with young kids in our community so we asked Deirdre Clune TD to contact the Dept. of Education to find out what is really happening.

The department told Deputy Clune that the project was moved to “design stage” in November of 2006. Since then nothing of substance has happened. No design team has been appointed, however they have advertised for the team.

The closing date for this tender is the 15^th of October and the Dept. of Education hopes to appoint a design team in November… so only 12 months to get a design team!

Traffic Chaos

The condition of the road to Douglas from Passage has been raised as a serious issue among many residents. The road surface and width came in for particular criticism as did delays caused at the round about near Rochestown Church.

No plans are in place to make any real difference to the commuting lives of Passage residents in the near future. At the moment with construction on going in Harbour Heights no money has been allocated to upgrade the road.

Residents of Parkview, The Meadows and Mariners View passed on their concerns to Deirdre Clune TD when she called to them recently. She was joined by Passage West Town Councillor John Daly and Cork County Councillor.

Other hot topics included the lack of progress on the Star of the Sea primary school development, speeding cars in the vicinity of St Peter’s secondary school and underage drinking in the town.