The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD visited the new school site for St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush this week to discuss the plans for the development of the 13-acre site, which will cater for 1,000 student on completion.

Following the announcement that the Department of Education has completed the site acquisition for the new school campus, Minister O’Brien met with School Principal, Patricia Hayden and management to discuss the next phase of the development and the need for increased capacity for the school.

There are currently 848 students enrolled in St Joseph’s Secondary School on a 3.5-acre site, originally designed in 1961 to cater for 375 students. To accommodate the current students, 19 added prefab units have been added on the current school site in Convent Lane, Rush and the school is awaiting the delivery of another four modular units for the 2020/21 academic year.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said:“I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit the new school site for St. Joseph’s Secondary School. This new school and its fantastic facilities will serve the students of Rush for generations to come. I compliment Principal Patricia Hayden, teachers, students, parents and the Board of Management on their work in highlighting the need for modern and adequate accommodation for the increasing number of students attending the school. Over the years I have consistently supported this call and I am very glad to see it come to fruition.”

Ms. Patricia Hayden, Principal, St. Joseph’s Secondary school said: “We were delighted to welcome Minister O’Brien on the back of the announcement about our new school campus. As we commence the design and construction phase of the new school, we are further delighted to have Minister O’Brien’s support as we focus our efforts to ensure the project is delivered on schedule. This announcement is very positive development for the community of Rush and the surrounding areas and would not have been possible without the support and efforts of the local community.”

Plans will now be put in place for the development of the designated campus on 13 acres of land adjacent to St. Maur’s GAA Club. 2.4 kilometres from the school’s present location in Convent Lane in the centre of the town. St. Joseph’s secondary school will be co-located on a contemporary educational campus with Gaelscoil Ros Eo.  It is anticipated that the new campus will be completed in time for the 2023/24 academic year.