Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has again appealed to the Minister for Education Norma Foley and her Department to realise the vital role that Firhouse ETSS plays in providing accessible education to the children and young adults in the area. Teachta Crowe reiterated his vocal support for SOS Firhouse ETSS, saying that “we need to be providing more education in the area, not moving it miles away”.

Teachta Crowe joined the protesters from SOS Firhouse ETSS outside the Convention Centre this morning as the Minister for Education was taking questions in the Dáil.

Teachta Crowe said:

“From the outset, moving Firhouse ETSS to Citywest has made no sense to me or indeed anyone associated with the school. Moving so far outside of the school’s catchment area until a new school is built is simply not sustainable for parents and teachers.

“My Sinn Féin colleague and party spokesperson on Education Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD raised the matter with the Minister in the Dáil this morning after also meeting with the protesting parents outside.

“Firhouse has a growing young population. We need to be providing more education in the area, not  physically moving it miles away.

“The particular needs of the students have also been disregarded. A high proportion of the schools students have special needs and school transport by bus for such a longer journey may not work or  be suitable for them.

“The Minister and the Department of Education needs to wake up and realise that these children are not simply numbers on a spreadsheet to be moved around. Their needs and accessibility to education need to be considered far higher than this senseless move to satisfy a logistical problem for the Department.”