“A second-level educate together school for the Northside is something that is clearly needed. I am delighted to see that the City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Educate Together have come together to announce the are delighted to announce the opening this September of a new Community College in partnership with Educate Together. I have been a long time vocal supporter of the need for a second-level Educate Together school locally, and I welcome this initiative”.

“Over the last two years I have met with countless parents and hosted meetings in Leinster House between parents and Junior Minister for Education Damien English, as well as our Seanad spokesperson on education Jim D’Arcy. The collaborative approach with the CDETB is one which was identified as a possibility at an early stage – and I am glad that the resources have allowed this to come to fruition”.

“I want to express my personal gratitude to the hard work of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, as well as the Educate Together committee who worked hard together to bring this forward. This outcome is tremendous news for the area – the second-level Educate Together school in Whitehall will no doubt receive great interest from parents”.

According to the Educate Together statement on the matter, the City of Dublin Education and Training Board will be the Patron of the College and Educate Together the Trustee Partner. Similarly, they say that the Community College is to be co-located in the building currently occupied by Plunket College, Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9. They also state that the new College will open with an expected First Year intake of 75 students. Plunket College will continue to offer Repeat Leaving Certificate and Post-Leaving Certificate Programmes for both male and female students.

Speaking on the matter, Councillor Noel Rock said: “I have been a long time advocate of Educate Together getting a second level school in our area and this collaboration is a welcome piece of news”.

Councillor Rock added: “I do however feel there is more that can be done, and I look forward to building on this progress in the years ahead. The Dublin 9 area is still under active consideration for a brand new second-level school in the coming capital investment programme, and if elected to the Dail I intend to ensure this happens”.

A dedicated point of contact for parents/guardians interested in enrolling their daughter/son in Clonturk College will be established and further information in relation to this will issue before the end of January. This information will be published both on www.CDETB.ie and www.educatetogether.ie.