Children Eating At Desks And Walking On Public Roads As Curragh Community College "Bursting At Seams"

The pressure stems from a 2018 decision to expand the school to absorb overflow from Kildare town and Newbridge, on the understanding that a new school would be delivered at the former Magee Barracks site.

Curragh Community College is operating at more than double its intended capacity, with serious health and safety concerns raised by teachers and local representatives - as the opening of a long-promised new school in 2026 is now increasingly in doubt.

The school was originally built to accommodate 140 students but now has around 300 enrolled, despite lacking basic facilities including PE space, a canteen and specialist classrooms for subjects such as science, woodwork and home economics.

Teachers and local representatives have warned of overcrowded classrooms and staff areas, inadequate and unsanitary toilets, structural hazards and the absence of safe social spaces, while students are required to eat in classrooms and walk along public roads to access off-site sports facilities.

The pressure stems from a 2018 decision to expand the school to absorb overflow from Kildare town and Newbridge, on the understanding that a new school would be delivered at the former Magee Barracks site.

However, despite contracts for the site being signed in 2022 and planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála in February, no construction has yet begun.

The project remains at tender stage, with the Department of Education originally stating that a contractor would be appointed late this year. 

A letter of intent to the successful bidder was expected to issue in the final quarter of 2025, meaning construction is unlikely to begin before early 2026.

Kfm News reported as far back as June how hopes for the school to open next year were already in major doubt.

The multi-million-euro development is planned to be delivered in two phases, with phase one providing accommodation for 425 students and long-term capacity for up to 1,000 pupils.

Concerns were raised in the Seanad and the Dail this week over the suitability of the current accommodation, with calls for urgent health and safety audits, emergency works and clear interim timelines while delays continue.

"The conditions are absolutely horrific. There are no PE facilities or canteen, so students have to sit in their classroom to eat. There is severe overcrowding in the staffroom, which only has three tables for 40 people, and in the classrooms. There are no practical rooms for science, home economics, woodwork, etc.Students have to walk on dangerous public roads to reach the squash club, where they are able to avail of some physical activity," Senator Fiona O' Loughlin (FF) said. 

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall raised the issue in the Dail, saying "the school is crumbling around staff and students, presenting immediate and serious safety concerns."

He said "classroom conditions are dire. Radiators are not working and children are learning in extremely cold environments where there are even broken windows. There is no safe pedestrian crossing for children and there was a recent accident involving a car and a child. Staff facilities are wholly inadequate and present ongoing physical hazards under workplace safety regulations."

Responding, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "I certainly will. It is unacceptable. There is no call for broken windows. We have minor works grants and various schemes that can deal with issues of maintenance. In particular, if glass is broken or whatever, you fix the window, for God's sake. I will talk to the Minister and ask her to engage with the Minister for Defence, although it would seem to me that it is primarily an education matter on the capital side. I will certainly follow that up."

Responding on behalf of the Department Of Education, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education Marian Harkin said: "The project is currently at architectural planning stage 3, tender action and award. The tender returns have recently been received and a review of them is currently ongoing by the design team to formulate a tender report for the Department’s review and comments. On completion of the tender report review by the Department, the letter of intent is expected to issue to the successful tenderer."