A series of temporary road closures are proposed for the wider Naas area, to enable planned works by Irish Water in the coming weeks.

The Halverstown Crossroads between the Sallins Road and and Carragh Road at Halverstown Cross is proposed for closure for 6 weeks so that Irish Water may carry out works in the area.

Alternative Route:

Southbound vehicles travelling on the Sallins Road R407 will be diverted onto the Naas ring road (circa 0.3km). They will be then directed along the ring road to the R409 Carragh road (circa 3.1km) and onto the R409 towards Carragh and Halverstown Cross at the

L2006-1 junction (circa 1.3km)

Eastbound vehicles travelling on the R409 from Carragh and from L2006-2 Newhall will be directed along the R409 to the Naas ring road (circa 1.3km). They will then be directed along the ring road to the R407 Sallins road (circa 3.1km) and along the R407 to the L2006-1 junction with the R407 (circa 0.3km)

And the road between Halverstown Crossroads & Floods Crossroads from the Caragh Road to the Rathangan Road is proposed for closure for 5 weeks.

Alternative Route:

Eastbound vehicles travelling on the R409 from Carragh and from L2006-1 Oberstown will be directed along the R409 to the Naas ring road (circa 1.3km). They will then be directed along the ring road to the L2030 Rathangan Road (circa 1.1km) and along the L2030 to Floods Cross at the L2006-2 junction with the L2030 (circa 1.8km)

Eastbound traffic on the L2030 from Rathangan will be directed along the L2030 from Floods Cross to the Naas ring road (circa 1.8km). They will then be directed along the ring road to the R409 Carragh Road (circa 1.1km) and along the R409 Carragh Road to Halverstown Cross at the L 2006-2 junction with the R409 (circa 1.3km)

Submissions on the proposed closures are invited until Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

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Gardaí in Leixlip are seeking information on a stolen car.

On Sunday, March 31, between 3.30am and 4.30am, a grey Kia Sorrento was stolen.

The car is a 16 2 D grey Kia Sorrento.

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By Kim O'Leary

Ballymore Eustace singer Megan O'Neill is set to perform live at McAuley Place in Naas this Friday, April 5.

After a busy month in March where she toured Germany, York, Manchester, Sheffield and the Isle of Man, Kildare native Megan said she is 'really excited' to be singing again locally.

Talented Americam/Alt country singer Megan, 28, is from Ballymore Eustace in Co Kildare and she studied psychology at UCD. After university Megan headed to Nashville in the U.S. to pursue her dream of pursuing a career in singing and song-writing.

In recent months Megan has been working on her upcoming album set for release in 2020, collaborating with the acclaimed Joe and Dave Dunwell, who were an integral part of her last album 'Ghost of You' where they were co-writers and backing vocals on fan favourites 'Any Younger' and 'Lost a Love'.

Last month Megan performed in Mick Murphy's in Ballymore Eustace as part of a special homecoming. Megan will perform live at McAuley Place in Naas this Friday 5 April with doors open from 7.30pm and the show starts at 8pm with support from singer Tia Burke.

Tickets for the gig at McAuley Place cost 10 euros and tickets are available from Jam Music Naas, McAuley Place Naas, and Ticketstop.ie.

Next up for Megan is a performance at the Ards International Guitar Festival in Belfast on Sunday, April 7.

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Castledermot Gardaí are investigating the theft of mountain bikes.

Between 3pm on Wednesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 29, two mountain bikes were stolen.

One of the stolen bikes was teal in colour while another is a Marin mountain bike.

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There's been a sharp increase in the number of patients without beds at Naas Hospital rising to 24, which is double the figure yesterday.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, yesterday there were just 12 patients on trolleys and today there are 24 patients without beds at the Kildare facility.

Meanwhile, there was a record number of patients on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick, with 81 patients waiting for beds.

Nationwide, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reports that there are 594 patients on trolleys at the country's other main hospitals.

The worst hit hospitals today are:

• University Hospital Limerick-81
• Cork University Hospital-50
• University Hospital Galway-43

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Naas Gardaí are now investigating a break into to JYSK store overnight.

The  home furnishings store at Naas Business Park just opened yesterday.

Crowds lined outside the store from early morning to get the bargains.

However, overnight, the store was broken into.

Raiders gained entry through the roof.

Extensive internal damage was caused to the premises.

A fire alarm was activated and nothing was stolen.

Pic by A.Byrne

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Here is time-lapse footage of the M7 bridge at Osberstown being demolished with impressive speed and efficiency last weekend.

The operation was carried out by UK experts S. Evans and Sons Demolition on behalf of the SIAC/Colas joint venture.

The motorway was completely closed from 10pm on Friday and had not been due to re-open again until 6am on Monday morning.

However, Kildare Co Council said that good progress was made on the demolition works through Friday night and all day Saturday without any delays encountered.

As a result, the Council in consultation with Naas Gardai announced that the motorway could be reopened by 6am Sunday morning - 24 hours in advance of the original scheduled time frame.

Video by: S Evans and Sons Demoliton / Demolition News.

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A Co Kildare teen is set to perform with his dance crew 'Fly Youth' in the grand finale of 'Ireland's Got Talent' this Sunday, and the crew will be in Kildare Town Community School to give a special performance tomorrow at 8pm.

Young Levi Cruise O'Sullivan, whose dad's family are from Kildare, is dancing in the finals of the popular talent show with his crew Fly Youth, a 23 strong group of dancers who are based in Glasnevein Dublin.

The group wowed the four judges in the semi-finals at the weekend under the guidance of teachers Kerrie and Zac Milne.

Meanwhile, the crew will be in Kildare Town Community School on Thursday 4 April and will perform from 8-9pm.

Speaking to KildareNow, Levi's proud mother Barbara Cruise said: "They really are an amazing group of teenagers, they work hard and are so deserving and we really want the country to get behind them. They shine a great light on young people in Ireland and they are working so hard to put their final shows together, and we want to make sure their talent is not overruled by any number of vote."

She added: "Any support is so appreciate, it would mean the world to us."

Fly Youth will appear in the live final of 'Ireland's Got Talent' this Sunday, April 7, on Virgin Media One from 7.30pm.

Check out Fly Youth's fantastic routine from the semi-finals last weekend:

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Fiona O’Loughlin, TD for South Kildare recently met with representatives from Irish Rail to highlight issues facing commuters in South Kildare

Speaking following the meeting Deputy O’Loughlin said, “I had a productive meeting with representatives from Irish Rail in relation to pricing, train capacity and facilities in train stations across South Kildare. I looked for this meeting to reiterate the same concerns I have already raised on a number of occasions and yet, little changes have been made. Pricing for South Kildare commuters, particularly Newbridge those travelling from Newbridge has been a major concern for me following the inclusion of Sallins Station in the short hop zone. People traveling from Newbridge pay almost double that of a person travelling from Sallins which is a huge disadvantage for commuters."

Deputy O’Loughlin said, “Train capacity is another issue I raised at the meeting. Commuter services in the morning and evenings are at full capacity and added carriages are not being considered. Last year I expressed my frustration following a response from Irish Rail that increased capacity would not be considered until 2023. The NTA must continually monitor the situation and consider possible avenues to increase capacity in their daily services”.

“I also highlighted the lack of toilet facilities in Newbridge train station along with the car park facilities needing to be monitored and projected increased catered for”.

“I have been in continuous contact with both the NTA and Irish Rail and will continue to highlight issues to support commuters”, Deputy O’Loughlin Concluded.

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Some dry clear spells but mostly cloudy overnight for Co Kildare with further outbreaks of showery rain at times.

The rain will be heavy in places and may fall as sleet on high ground. Lows of 1 to 3 Celsius. Coolest under any clear skies with a touch of grass frost. Moderate to fresh northwest winds will veer northeast overnight.

Some bright or short sunny spells on Thursday but mostly cloudy with further showers. Again the showers will be heavy in places with a slight risk of hail. High of 7 or 8 Celsius in moderate to fresh and gusty northeast winds, which will veer easterly during the afternoon and ease somewhat.

There will be showers on Thursday night, most frequent in the west and north. Clearer spells in the south and east will result in frost with lows of 0 to -3 degrees, slightly higher for Ulster and Connacht with lows of 1 to 4 degrees.

Winds will be mostly light variable, except in the north where they will be moderate to fresh easterly, later southeasterly. More persistent rain arriving on the east coast towards dawn.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

The death has occurred of Patrick Behan
Calverstown, Kilcullen, Kildare

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John Coughlan Event Catering Is Currently Looking To Recruit Friendly, Enthusiastic Staff To Join Their Experienced Team For Punchestown Festival 2019.

Are You Available To Work from 30th April To 4th May?

Open Interviews will be held on 10th April 2-6pm at Punchestown Race Course

Positions being filled include:

·       Senior And Junior Waiting Staff

·       Food & Drinks Runners

·       Chefs Of All Levels

·       Catering Assistants

·       Kitchen Porters

·       Wash Up Staff

If You Know Someone Interested In Working At This Event Please Tell Them To Submit Their CV Or Email Attendance To Info@johncoughlancatering.com, Quote Ref: Punchestown Festival

You must to be available to work from 30th April to 4th May and have transport to and from Punchestown Race Course.

All Staff MUST be over the age of 16.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

GALLERY: Lisa McGowan hosts Lisa's Lust List Live at Killashee House Hotel

Lisa McGowan and Linda Blanchfield

Chris McManus, Lisa McGowan and Daragh Keogh

Lisa McGowan and Chris McManus

Lorraine O'Mahoney and Elaine Hoban

Caroline Moffatt and Kathleen McDonnell

Caroline Critchley and Andrea Murphy

Geraldine Colcoun and Bernie Grant

Sinead Nolan and Tara Gillen from Gillen Jewellers Athy

Caroline Fisher and Niamh Casey

Julie Spain and Anita Mooney

Anne O'Brien, Linda Meehan, Theresa Collins and Janis Meehan

Kim Wilson and Siobhan Hughes

Bernie Byrne

Niamh Casey, Catherine Fisher, Paula O'Connor, Maria Lee, Bridget Fisher and Maria Begley

Elaine, Ann and Karen Maloney

Elaine Delaney, Sabrina Moore and Clare O'Reilly

Deirdre Murphy, Pam Nicholson, Treasa Kearney and Evelyn Ryan

Eilish, Maura, Annemarie and Elaine Cronin with Martina Mollaghan

Karen Deasy and Tina Kelleher

Rachel Bermingham and Michelle McMonagle

Noelle Galway and Catherine Corbett

Amii King and Clodagh Condon

Martina, Orla, Claire and Aideen McGovern

Linda Aherne, Jennie Diver and Sharon Macken

Amanda Garland, Elaine Garland, Aoife Scollard and Orlaith Kelly

Deirdre O'Sullivan and Trudy Carroll

Bridget Trant, Cora McCauley and Mary Burke

Mary Phelan, Aine McGeeney and Marian McGeeney

Lorraine Whelehan and Sinead Gaskin

Michelle O'Neill, Miriam McElvaney, Carmel Reynolds and Maura McElvaney

Caroline O'Mahony and Lisa Hayes

Vicki Creber (It So Me Boutique)

Clare Kelly, Nora Robotham and Denise Carroll

Nora O'Neill, Jenny Phelan, Sharon McNamara, Mary Dore, Niamh Smyth and Irene Matthews from Kerry Group Naas

Sharon McNamara

Carrie Reilly and Dairina O'Neill

Paula O'Donoghue and Shauna McGrath from Solo Boutique

Mark Rogers (Mark Rogers Beauty) and Oonagh O'Hagans (Meaghers Pharmacy)

Helen Hennessy, Jackie Quinn, Niamh Bolger, Ami Fitzgerald, Lisa Kelly, Maria Rogerson, Aine Power and Joan Moran

Rosaleen Holohan, Niamh Horan, Claire Fitzgerald, Helen Cocoman, Catherine Cocoman, Edel Cocoman and Caroline Holohan

Paula Kelly, Catherine Molloy and Mairead Molloy

Lisa McGowan with Donna Kane, Niamh Mulhalll, Sandra Lynch, Sharon Lynch and Lisa Lynch

Lisa McGowan with representatives of KARE Naas Local Services Yvonne O'Connell, Margaret Loughlin, Martina Maher and Angela Gordon

Aine Griffin (KARE Naas Local Services) who thanked Lisa and the crowd for donating money to the worthy cause on the night

Grainne McCoy - Supreme Lashes

Roisin Penny and Conor McArdle from Bellamianta Luxury Tanning

Oonagh O'Hagan, Kevin O'Neill and Leanne Fallon from Meaghers Pharmacy

Niamh Nolan and Denise Douet

Nicola and Jenny O'Driscoll from Nicola Ross Naas

Valarie McTiernan and Susan McMahon from Absolutely Fabulous Hampers

Best Dressed Finalists

Winner of the best dressed competition Helen Scully

Radio presenter Keith Walsh with the models from Catwalk model agency, Galway

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

A Newbridge family are after transforming their overall health following lifestyle changes guided by medical experts on national television.

Parents Aoife and Danny, along with their four children, Jack, now 15, Jessica (10), Grace(7) and Emily (4).

Life changed dramatically for the Curran family of Kilbelin, Newbridge, when their youngest daughter Emily, now four years old, was born with shoulder dytocia.

Born at 9''2, the newborn was put on a life support machine and required a lot of monitoring.

Now a healthy four year old, life is very different.

Ms Curran said: "After Emily was born, I found that I did not have the head space to go about trying to lose weight. I found myself making two to three different meals everyday, I was 15 stone and had been 12 stone before Emily was born. Having four kids and one being unwell, losing weight went out of my list of priorities."

Doctor in the House shows how Aoife has asthma and smokes about 15 cigarettes a day.

Danny Curran smokes 20 cigarettes a day and drinks 10 to 13 coffees a day with sugar in each one. When Danny gets home from work he and Aoife like to relax on the sofa with fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate.

The show highlights how seven years previously Danny was in the army and was very fit.

After a week of being tested and followed by the cameras, the family are brought to the Consultation Room.  Aoife and Danny find out they are both obese. Aoife is told she has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and Danny’s chest x-ray showed irreversible changes in his lungs due to smoking. Aoife feels very guilty when she is told that Jack is significantly iron deficient almost anaemic and that this would affect his concentration in school and also his energy levels.

That was two years ago, now Aoife is planning to study midwifery after taking time out from being an ambulance worker to raise the children. The family are much more healthy.

While Danny still has a long commute to work, he always ensures that he eats well and makes time for exercise.

She said: "Before going on Doctor in the House, he would say I don't have time for breakfast. He thought it would be quicker for him to stop off at a garage, now he makes breakfast a priority."

The daily healthy eating habits for the Curran family is likely to look like this, boiled eggs and porridge for the parents, Weetabix for the children, a sandwich toastie for lunch and for dinner sweet chilli chicken with brown rice.

Aoife said: "The kids use brown bread, we still have to be realistic, when it comes to sweet stuff,  they still have treats, but it is a treat rather than an everyday occurrence."

She said: "The children were so much better than I thought, they were very accepting of it all."

Now Jack (15), is very healthy.

Aoife said: "He eats lots of green leafy vegetables."

She says that taking action on their health has made a major impact on their lives.

She said: "It has given us balance to have a normal lifestyle. We do a lot of walking now and try to do as much as we can as a family."

Doctor in the House continues tomorrow night, Wednesday 03^rd April, on Virgin Media One at 9pm.

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The refurbished Aldi store in Kildare Town will reopen at 9am tomorrow after being closed for 4 days.

The new-look premises got a makeover as part of the retailer's €160m Project Fresh campaign to modernise its outlets.

It shut its doors to customers at 8pm on Saturday evening last.

The newly refurbished Aldi store will see a bigger selection of fresh foods, such as fruit and vegetables, by increasing chiller space.

Project Fresh also includes relocating all of its fresh produce departments to the front of all its stores.

Aldi said: "Thanks to all our customers for bearing with us during the renovation works."

Aldi currently operates a network of 137 stores in Ireland, employing almost 3,500 people.

Attention Kildare Aldi Customers.

Our refurbished Kildare Town store will reopen at 9:00am tomorrow. Drop by and check out its exciting new Project Fresh design.

Thanks to all our customers for bearing with us during the renovation works. pic.twitter.com/f4lFDQJ71p

— Aldi Ireland (@Aldi_Ireland) April 3, 2019

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The nurses and midwives forming the INMO’s Executive Council today  recommended that members vote to accept proposals aimed at resolving their recent strike.

The Labour Court has recommended in the INMO’s favour on the disputed parts of the proposed new contract for staff nurses and midwives. Their recommendation:

• Recognises that nursing should be “put in a position to lead on [healthcare] reforms”;
• Removes proposals for four, six- and eight hour shifts – no change to current arrangements;
• Removes proposals for changes in workplace locations mid-shift – no change to current arrangements;
• Rules out proposals for “split shifts”, where shifts would be divided across the day;
• Guarantees that new nurses and midwives can reach the higher “Enhanced Practice” salary scale after one year and 16 weeks.

The INMO Executive will now move to ballot members, beginning on the 8^th of April.

The deal members will be voting on includes:

• A new “Enhanced Practice” salary scale, which sees staff nurses and midwives earn up to €2,439 more each year in their career, and get to the maximum point faster;
• €5million in funding for safe staffing levels in 2019, with extra funding in 2020 and 2021;
• An independent expert group to look at pay for nurses and midwives in managerial grades;
• Allowances expanded to nurses in surgical and medical areas* and to those in maternity services in hospitals or the community;
• A 20% increase in those location and qualification allowances, by €372 to €2,230 and by €559 to €3,350 respectively.
• Speedier pay increases for new nurses and midwives, who will skip the second increment;
• Promotion to Senior Staff Nurse/Midwife after 17 years, not the current 20;
• Extra promotion opportunities for staff nurses working in intellectual disability, and for 2% of the nursing/midwifery workforce to be made Advanced Nurse/Midwife Practitioners;
• New or increased allowances for all Public Health Nurses;
• Support for education and training.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:“This Labour Court recommendation is a total vindication for what the INMO has said about the government’s draft contract. The government’s proposals were completely unreasonable and we are glad to see the Court has recognised this.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha said“There is no longer anything to fear in this new contract.The nurses and midwives of our Executive Council have now decided to fully recommend this deal to members. It does not resolve all our issues, but we believe it is a significant step forward for nurses, midwives and patients across Ireland."

She said:“This deal gives our health service a real chance to recruit and retain nurses and midwives and compete with international recruiters."

“The deal includes safe staffing levels, increases in take-home pay, and more promotional opportunities.”

INMO President Martina Harkin-Kelly said:“This is a hard-won deal. The elected Executive Council and I will be recommending that members vote to accept it."

Mr Harkin-Kelly said: “This is a good deal for all nurses and midwives and we are confident that the independent expert group will, in phase two, deliver for our members in managerial roles.

“I am particularly glad to note the new contract’s provision that nurses and midwives will be in a leading position for the coming healthcare reforms.”

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Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD and Enterprise Ireland today announced the second Competitive Start Fund (CSF) of the year which is open to all sectors for applications from yesterday.

The €750,000 fund will support up to 15 successful start-up companies with an investment of up to €50,000 in equity funding. Closing date for applications is at 3pm on Tuesday 30^th April.

The Competitive Start Fund aims to accelerate the growth of early stage start-up companies that have the potential to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies to reach key commercial and technical milestones by providing a critical early-stage financial boost of up to €50,000 to help progress their business plans for the international market.

The All Sector CSF is part of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to increase the number and quality of High Potential Start-Up (HPSUs) companies that have the potential to employ more than 10 people and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Minister Heather Humphreys TD said: “I am delighted to launch the second call of the Competitive Start Fund, which helps to support start-up activity in Ireland by providing critical early-stage funding to companies. Ireland has a vibrant start-up scene and initiatives like this one provide vital financial and mentoring support at a crucial point in a firm’s journey. I am very pleased that the Government is funding this important initiative and would strongly encourage start-ups from right across the country to consider applying.”

Commenting on the announcement, Teri Smith, Manager - HPSU Start at Enterprise Ireland, said: “The key objective of this fund is to help early-stage start-ups with the potential to scale internationally to get the initial financial boost needed to grow their business. This Competitive Start Fund call provides a support platform for up to 15 successful entrepreneurs and their companies to help them to take the necessary steps to advance their innovative product or service in the global marketplace. In addition to financial support, mentoring opportunities with an extensive team of Enterprise Ireland experts and access to entrepreneurial networks will help companies kick-start their journey to global success.”

In addition to written online applications, companies will be asked to prepare an online video pitch. Full details on the Competitive Start Fund, including the application form and eligibility criteria, can be accessed on the Enterprise Ireland website here.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Several Co Kildare families are heartbroken at the announcement this evening that their loved ones are not returning home after six months in the Golan Heights, tomorrow, as planned.

It is understood that a number of the soldiers stranded in the Golan Heights are Curragh soldiers.

PDFORRA, which represents soldiers, sailors and airmen and women of the Defence Forces, is bitterly disappointed to learn of another delay in the departure of members of the 58th Infantry Battalion, on completion of a six-month tour of duty, on the Golan Heights. A similar delay occurred last October for members of the 57th Infantry Battalion.

A spokesperson said: "This delay is totally unacceptable."

Mark Keane, President of PDFORRA said this evening: “Our thoughts and concerns are with the personnel involved and their families. These troops were due to depart the Golan today and arrive home to meet with their families tomorrow. For such a hold up to emerge with two successive units is quite remarkable  - and all those people affected need an immediate explanation”

Gerard Guinan, General Secretary of PDFORRA said this evening: “It is difficult to understand how such a problem can have emerged again; surely lessons must have been learned with the delayed return of the 53rd Battalion last October. I now call on the Minister and the Department of Defence to get to the bottom of this recurring problem and assure the troops and families that it will not happen again. A mistake in planning has surely been made either by the UN or here at home and those affected must get an explanation”

Guinan said: “The return home after such a long tour of duty is a joyous and special occasion for all involved. Families and troops are planning this reunion for weeks - and it is simply not acceptable that poor planning can ruin this special event. We need answers on this matter and an assurance in regard to the future”

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A North Kildare TD,  has received a commitment from the Minister for Education, Joe McHugh TD, that the Maynooth School Campus will open in May 2020.

Deputy Frank O'Rourke said: “Construction of the new secondary school in Maynooth came to a halt last year.  We must ensure that we get this project back on track. The Minister has given me a commitment that the Maynooth Secondary School Campus will be completed by May 2020.”

“The Minister also gave me a commitment that if needed, resources will be provided to make temporary school accommodation available while we wait for the campus to be completed in 2020.”

“The Department of Education will be liaising with the schools in relation to the provision of temporary accommodation if needed. I will continue to press the Department to have the school campus completed by mid 2020.” Concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

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