The following are recent Department of Education school inspection reports. The reports can be read on the department’s website – click on month published and then on the ‘PDF’ link for the school report you wish to view.

These are the schools in Dublin which were evaluated, and what subjects were looked at. WSE = whole-school evaluations. Sorted by date published and type of school:

National Primary Schools

Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin, Fionnghlas, Baile Átha Cliath 11 – WSE
St Joseph’s BNS, Terenure, Dublin 16 – WSE
John Scottus NS, Northumberland Road, Dublin 4 – WSE

Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education

Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey – PE
Assumption Secondary School, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 – History
St Laurence College, Loughlinstown – TY
Synge Street CBS, Dublin 8 – Science & Biology

Published December 2010

National Primary Schools

Scoil San Treasa, Mount Merrion – WSE
Scoil Treasa, Firhouse, Dublin 24 – WSE
St Joseph’s School for Deaf Boys, Navan Rd, Dublin 7 – WSE
St.Mary’s School for Deaf Girls, Navan Rd, Dublin 7 – WSE

Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education

Fingal Community College, Swords – MTWCS
Ardscoil La Salle, Raheny, Dublin 5 – Religious Education
Balbriggan Community College, Balbriggan – Music
St Declan’s College, Nephin Road, Dublin 7 – Art
Manor House School, Raheny, Dublin 5 – Music
Dominican College, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9 – English
Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan – Science & Biology
Riversdale Community College, Blanchardstown Road North, Dublin 15 – Science & Biology
Plunket College, Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9 – Science & Biology
Belvedere College S.J., Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1 – Art
St Fintan’s High School, Sutton, Dublin 13 – SPHE
Maryfield College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 – Gaeilge, Irish(t)
St Aidan’s Christian Brothers’ School, Whitehall, Dublin 9 – Geography
St Finian’s Community College, Swords – Music
Mercy Secondary School, Inchicore – History
Christian Brothers College, Monkstown – English
Gonzaga College, Dublin 6 – PE
Sancta Maria College, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 – Business Studies
Saint Benildus College, Stillorgan – History
Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock - WSE, French, Gaeilge, Irish(t), Mathematics, Metalwork & Engineering
Presentation College Terenure, Dublin 6W – LCVP
Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin – French
Rockbrook Park School, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 – French
Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 – History
Deansrath Community College, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – History

Published November 2010

National Primary Schools

Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown – WSE
St Pius X Boys’ National School, Terenure, Dublin 6W – WSE
Kilternan Church of Ireland National School, Kilternan – WSE
Saint Catherine’s Infant School, Cabra, Dublin 7 – WSE
St Brendan’s Boys’ National School, Artane, Dublin 5 – WSE
Drumcondra National School, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 – WSE
St Catherine’s Senior National School, Ratoath Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 – WSE
St Kevin’s Junior National School, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 – WSE
St Mary’s National School, Windsor Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3 – WSE

Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education

Jobstown Community College, Tallaght, Dublin 24 - History
Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, Dublin 20 - Science & Biology
St Kevin’s Community School, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – History
Moyle Park College, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – Mathematics
Coláiste na hÍde, Tallaght, Dublin 24 - Stair, History (t)
Tallaght Community School, Tallaght, Dublin 24 – Mathematics
St Michael’s College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 – Spanish
St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, Dublin 16 – Science & Biology
Clonkeen College, Blackrock – TY
Ringsend Technical Institute, Dublin 4 – Metalwork & Engineering
Jesus and Mary College, Goatstown Road, Dublin 14 – WSE, TY, History, Mathematics
St Joseph Of Cluny, Killiney, Co Dublin - Music
St Andrew’s College, Blackrock, Co Dublin – PE
Mount Anville Secondary School, Dundrum, Dublin 16 – Classical Studies
Ballinteer Community School, Dublin 16 - English
Caritas College, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 - French
St Laurences’ College, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18 - French
Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 – Technical, Graphics & Design & Communication, Graphics
St Conleth’s College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 – CSPE
St Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon, Dublin 16 – Business Studies
Ballinteer Community School, Dublin 16 - Science & Physics
Pearse College, Crumlin, Dublin 12 – English
St.Tiernan’s Community School, Dublin 16 – Science & Biology
John Scottus Secondary School, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 – Science & Biology
CBS Westland Row, Dublin 2 – Science & Biology
Mount Anville Secondary School, Dundrum, Dublin 16 – Science & Physics
Terenure College, Terenure, Dublin 6W – PE
Rockford Manor Secondary School, Blackrock – English
Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Dublin 3 – WSE, English, Guidance, Music, Science/Biology
Patrician College, Finglas, Dublin 11 – Gaeilge, Irish (t)
St David’s C.B.S., Artane, Dublin 5 – SEN
St Joseph’s C.B.S., Fairview, Dublin 3 - SEN
St Aidan’s C.B.S., Collins Avenue, Whitehall, Dublin 9 – MTWCS
Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 – TGDCG
Loreto College, Swords – RE in Junior Cycle
St Paul’s C.B.S., North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 – RE in Junior Cycle
Portmarnock Community School, Portmarnock – English
St Paul’s College, Raheny, Dublin 5 – RE in Junior Cycle
Mater Christi Secondary School, Cappagh, Finglas, Dublin 11 – Science & Biology

The no 7 bus route is included in a new list of changes.

Dublin Bus has listed a route it cut without public consultation or notice as an improvement.

The number 4 and 4a bus routes were merged with an overall frequency cut of 30% on weekdays and 66% on Sundays. Capacity on buses was also reduced as the route’s long ‘bendy’ buses were replaced with lower capacity double-deckers.

Dublin Bus did not respond to a request for comment to explain why this route was included under the header ‘improvements’ on dublinbus.ie, or why a route already changed is included in a new phase of the cost cutting .

The bus company is continuing with its cost cutting and bus rerouting programme, and it has recently uploaded its latest planned changes on to its website.

Dublinbus.ie says “Dublin Bus is pleased to announce proposals for services in Sandymount and on the Merrion Road QBC as part of Network Direct. These service changes cover the following existing routes” and lists the following: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 7a, 7b, 7d, 8, 45, 45a, 59, and 111.

It also says that changes to buses serving the Howth Road / Portmarnock includes the routes 29a, 31, 31b, 32, 32a, 32b, and 32x.

Although, because the company is unwilling to comment, it is unclear why its website says routes already changed are includes in a new phase of changes.

MORE: Merrion Road QBC changes on dublinbus.ie
MORE: Howth Road / Portmarnock changes on dublinbus.ie

IMAGE: Work on footpath improvements along the route

How does a cycle lane cost so much? It seems mainly because of junction crossing, boardwalks, CCTV, bridges and street water drainage upgrades. Many of which are not directly linked with cycling.

People trying to walk along the canal will see major improvements — the main one being able to cross junctions without having to dodge cars and buses.

The cost of the route from Portobello to Guild Street will come in at around €6m says Ciarán Fallon, the cycling officer at Dublin City Council. The full cost was originally estimated to be around €10. The funding is ring-fenced only for this project by the Department of Transport.

Fallon said: “Nine major junctions are being re-signalised to provide for pedestrians and cyclists. Drainage and public lighting is being upgraded along route. A traffic communications fibre optic cable in being laid and a CCTV system is being installed.”

Pedestrians will see benefits with the installation of toucan crossings (designed for both cyclists and pedestrians) at busy junctions along the Grand Canal from Portobello to the Docklands. Currently much of the route is not signalled for pedestrians. Visual and mobility impaired users should also find the upgraded crossing easer to use.

He continued: “Pinch points on Charlemont Place are being widened by the construction of a retaining wall and a canal boardwalk.” The section between Charlemont Place and Leeson Street Bridge is a pinch point because houses back on to the canal, leaving only a small and heavily used walkway.

Fallon also notes: “There are substantial costs associated with working in proximity with underground services – 10 bar gas distribution main and 220kV electricity.”

Although, it is now unclear what options will be used on the cycle route between the Dockland and Fairview Park, it is understood that bridges made up a substantial cost of up to €4m for the short section. Plans included a tall bridge needed to cross the Royal Canal and railway tracks. Between West Road and Fairview Park there was also planned to be a bridge crossing the River Tolka.

The route is seen as a key part of creating strategic cycle routes along Dublin’s canals and Dublin Bay. Large sections of these routes are already built but are unconnected. The current project from Portobello to Fairview is seen as one of the most expensive sections because it crosses a large number of busy junctions.

The route’s traffic light sequencing between Portobello and the north Docklands will be a deciding factor for many – if travel times are worse than the adjacent roads, faster cyclists will likely avoid the route. But it will provide a friendlier environment for families, newcomers and those not in such a hurry. Fallon says that discussion on the sequencing is ongoing and due to be tested. If all goes well sections could be open before July.

MORE: Millions for strategic cycle route suspended due to objections (includes map)

Major Dublin city cycle routes will remain unconnected as a key section is delayed following what was described as intensive lobbying.

Four million euro of funding for the project was suspended by the Department of Transport pending a review of options on a strategic cycling route after residents in East Wall objected to it.

Dublin City Council had planning permission for the full €10m route between Portobello to East Wall Road at the end of West Road, via the Docklands, but it is now revaluating the section between the north Docklands and Fairview Park. It has said it will consult with residents before going ahead with the East Wall section.

The route in the short term will now only be completed between Portobello and Guild Street in the north Docklands, which is due to open by July. “[This section was] delayed one month due to harsh weather in December,” said Ciarán Fallon, the cycling officer at Dublin City Council.

The project is part of the city’s plan to allow commuters, leisure cyclists and tourists to travel along a network made up of the Dublin sections of the Grand and Royal canals and along Dublin Bay from Sutton to Sandycove, or even further along the coast.

If the project had gone ahead uninterrupted, it would have created the largest completed section to date – 8.6km from Portobello at the Lower Rathmines Road to Bull Island at Dollymount.

A petition signed by residents of East Wall objecting to the cycle route “went missing,” as Dublin Observer previously reported.

The petition was signed by hundreds of residents but was submitted with the wrong reference number. And although it mainly referred to the cycle route, it was only submitted against a small section of the project – a pedestrian and cycle bridge crossing the River Tolka, from West Road to Fairview Park. There is currently no permission for this bridge.

The city council has since admitted that it should have returned the submission or informed the residents of the error.

Council officials and councillors also disagreed on what public consultation had happened with residents in East Wall. Last year Cllr Emer Costello (Labour) told the council’s central area committee meeting of the large amount of confusion around the project and warned that there must be serious consultation with residents to rebuild trust. Cllr Marie Metcalfe (Ind) said an independent facilitator would be needed.

The council originally planned a two-way off-road cycle track on West Road. Residents’ complaints centred on the loss of parking spaces, however a council survey showed little demand for parking on the street.

“Options for the route north of Guild Street are currently being investigated,” said Ciarán Fallon. He said there is now no completion date set for the section between Guild Street in the Docklands and Fairview Park via East Wall.

Late last year one councillor heavily criticised the delay and he confirmed to Dublin Observer this week that his still holds this view.

Cllr Naoise Ó Muirí (Fine Gael) said that the plans for the cycle route in the East Wall area were “withdrawn by City Council officials because of intensive pressure / lobbying by East Wall residents and some of their “local” politicians. In my view this is a short-sighted decision. DCC officials certainly didn’t cover themselves in glory on this occasion but the rationale for the strident opposition from within East Wall seemed pretty flimsy at best.”

He added: “The only real alternative being proposed seemed to be to send cyclists down the East Wall Road, an area still ruled by dangerous HGVs. So the strategic interests of the City are set aside once again and the associated millions of funding may well be on its way back to the Department of Transport already.”

His party colleague Cllr Mary O Shea, at the central area meeting last month, said that “we should all hang our heads in shame” if the funding is lost.

While the council confirmed the funding was suspended by the Department of Transport, the department did not respond to a request for further comment.

MORE: How does a 5km cycle route cost €10m?
MORE: Petition against cycle route goes missing

Planned Dublin canals and bay cycle network

View Dublin’s canals and bay cycle routes in a larger map

MAP KEY
Purple: Plans not confirmed
Red: Planned
Orange: Problematic / sometimes passable. No plans to upgrade to date.
Yellow: Under construction
Green: Passable (some with gates)

Dublin Bus has slashed services on what was seen as one of its top routes.

Route 4 has 36% fewer buses per week compared to the old 4 and 4a bus routes which were merged two weeks ago.

Updated bus stop timetables were also only put in place after the cuts were implemented leaving passengers at stops with incorrect or no information. Notice of the changes was posted on Dublinbus.ie a week before the change.

On weekdays there are now 58 fewer bus journeys per day, a 30% drop. On Saturdays, 66 bus journeys were cut leaving 62 buses per day. The reductions was most severe on the Sunday timetable where a cut of 66% was made leaving just 17 services southbound and 16 northbound for the day.

Dublin Bus said the changes are an “overall minor frequency adjustment,” but a spokeswoman did not respond to questions on the exact changes.

Route 4 serves areas from the Northside of the city to the Southside, including: Ballymun, Glasnevin, Phibsboro, the City Centre, Ballsbridge, Sandymount, Blackrock, and Monkstown.

The changes are part of the Dublin Bus Network Direct project to streamline bus services. Public consultation for the no 4 bus route only covered extending the route – the merger and frequency reductions again were not revealed.

The semi-State company claimed that the changes were advertised in national newspaper advertisements. However, while other route mergers were mentioned, the advertisements did not make any reference to merging the 4 and 4/a routes or the timetable cuts.

Adding to confusion of users, timetables were first only changed online. Timetables at some bus stops were left unchanged or blank for up to a week after the cuts leaving commuters waiting at stops for buses that were not due to arrive.

Last week, over a week after the changes were made, Dublin Bus defended the lack of information at bus stops.

The company said: “This is a process obviously, that can take a number of days but since last week all of our on-street information on the Northside of the city relating to Route 4 has been updated, the city centre information is updated and almost all of the on-street information on the Southside of the city is complete.”

The National Transport Authority, which approved the changes, said Dublin Bus is only required to provide correct and up-to-date timetables on at least 95% of bus stop. But beyond what is strictly required, the authority said it has raised the issue of lack of up-to-date timetables at stops with Dublin Bus.

CUTS BY NUMBERS

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Batt O’Keeffe announced the jobs, stating that “FCStone’s initial investment in Ireland is a win without parallel in our rapidly growing financial services sector.”

FCStone currently has offices based in Dublin 4, and intends to target the food production sector, inclusing restaraunts and fast-food outlets.

Minister O’Keeffe believes that the arrival of FCStone is a mark of how Ireland is regaining the competitive edge: “The decision by a company of FCStone’s calibre to establish its European hub here shows Ireland can beat competitors for high-quality investments and generate good jobs for our highly educated workers.”

The 26 jobs are important to the government’s ‘smart economy’ strategy, as Minister O’Keeffe acknowledges.

“The risk management activities that will be undertaken in Dublin are an important part of the financial services sector and the Government’s focus is on attracting more “smart” jobs like these.”