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

As part of the Irish Sports Council’s National Walking Event, in conjunction with Operation Transformation, a new Irish Heart Foundation Slí na Sláinte walking route, ‘The Metals’, will be launched by An Cathaoirleach Cllr. Lettie McCarthy on Saturday, 15th January 2011 at 12pm in County Hall, Dún Laoghaire. On this day every county in Ireland will have a similar walking event to cater for all levels of fitness, but may be of particular interest to those looking to start exercising again.

Slí na Sláinte (“Path to Health”) is a unique initiative of the Irish Heart Foundation designed to encourage people to get more active and get walking, on routes marked out at 1 km intervals.

The Metals Slí na Sláinte route is 3km in length (6km return) from Dún Laoghaire Pier to Dalkey, suitable for all levels of walker and it is supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Department of Transport’s Smarter Travel Project Fund and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership.

Speaking in advance of the event, An Cathaoirleach Cllr McCarthy remarked, “Connecting Dún Laoghaire to Dalkey, the new route takes in some of the most scenic and historical streetscapes  and villages in the County and provides an attractive link for pedestrians and cyclists to DART stations, schools, recreational facilities and shopping.  Residents and visitors alike will benefit from this new amenity, and I strongly encourage the community to come out and join us at the launch of the new Slí na Sláinte route and the Irish Sport Council’s National Walking Event on January 15.”

Edel Byrne from the Irish Heart Foundation added: “We hope the community of Dún Laoghaire will get great enjoyment and benefit from the new Slí na Sláinte route in the town. Getting active makes such a big difference to your heart and overall health, helping to reduce stress, ease back pain and reduce the risk of heart disease. For heart health adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity, such as brisk walking, five days a week. By having a clearly marked and safe walking route, we aim to make it easier for people in Dún Laoghaire to get active as part of their normal day.”

The new Slí na Sláinte will be launched by an enjoyable walk along the route and the unveiling of the route map board, followed by light refreshments. Trained walking leaders will be available and the event will include information on the history of The Metals. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

For further information on this event and to register your interest please contact Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership at 01-2719507 or sportspartnership@dlrcoco.ie.

Anyone seeking further info on Slí na Sláinte routes can contact Edel Byrne, Slí na Sláinte National Co-ordinator at the Irish Heart Foundation, 4 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, Tel: 01 668-5001 or e-mail: ebyrne@irishheart.ie

Gardai at Dalkey are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 14 year old Paddy Cash. He was last seen on Saturday, the July 31 2010, wearing a navy blue Adidas top, black tracksuit bottoms with a red stripe and white runners. He is 5’1″ in height, of slight build with blue/green eyes and brown hair. Paddy is known to frequent the Grafton Street / Temple bar area of Dublin City Centre.

Meanwhile, Gardai at Clondalkin are looking for help finding 24 year old Sonia Dowling. Sonia is missing from her home at Clondalkin since 26 June last. She is described as approximately 5’6″ in height of slight build with black hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dalkey Garda Station 01-666 9200 or Clondalkin Garda Station 666 7600, respectively, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Dun Laoghaire

Prices are to rise at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s off-street car parks from next month.

The council says in order to meet the European Commission’s requirement that 21% Vat be charged on council services it will increase the charges for off-street car parks, while on-street parking will be kept at the current price.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council says it expects to make the increases during September.

Where the current charge is €3 per day, 60 cent is to be added, or with a current charge of €5, €1 will be added. Per hour parking will be increased from €1 to €1.20 per hour. A full list of changes can be found at dlrcoco.ie.

Projects which were granted funding include a Shankill Village Christmas Festival, Christmas lights and festival in Dunlaoghaire, a street festival in Blackrock, and the creation of a garden area for outdoor community activities in Dundrum.

Marketing pushes which are to receive funding include: marketing Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the town to cruise operators, and a campaign aimed at changing the image of Sandyford Industrial Estate to a business district.

Last night’s Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council meeting revealed the successful applications as: Shankill Tidy Towns Traders Group/Shankill Traders, Blackrock Business Network and IADT Media, Dundrum Town Centre Tenants Committee, Dalkey Business Group, Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group, Dún Laoghaire Business Association, and Sandyford Business Estates Association.

The grants were established as part of the 2010 budget for the council to cover up to 50% of proposed expenditure to promote and market local business areas. The council says it will advertise a second round of funding in early August. The fund totals €300,000 with each of the six Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown electoral areas eligible for up to €50,000.

“The Council’s new Business Support Grants will encourage firms to work collectively to promote and sustain business activity in their area. The standard of applications was excellent and demonstrated the capacity of local business groups to develop creative initiatives that will attract trade to their areas,” said Wessel Badenhorst, economic development officer at the council.

List of approved grants:

The Shankill Tidy Towns Traders Group/Shankill Traders Association

Project Description: Creation of a “starting point” for Shankill Village at the bus stop opposite St Anne’s Church through a range of area improvement measures.

The Shankill Tidy Towns Traders Group/Shankill Traders Association

Project Description: Shankill Village Christmas Festival and Shankill “End of Summer” street entertainment.

Blackrock Business Network in collaboration with IADT Media Cube

Project Description: On-line and off-line marketing of an animation film competition to be showcased in Blackrock.

Blackrock Business Network

Project Description: “Blackrock Rocks” Family Day including street performances, jazz and classical performances, food stalls, fashion show and puppet show.

Dundrum Town Centre Tenants Committee

Project Description: Creation of a garden area for outdoor community activities.

Dalkey Business Group

Project Description: Renovation of public space to facilitate local markets, displays and street performances and enhance attractiveness of the village.

Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group

Project Description: Marketing of DL Harbour and Town to Cruise operators.

Dun Laoghaire Business Association

Project Description: Christmas Lights display and festival.

Sandyford Business Estates Association

Project Description: Development of the SBEA website to include B2B capabilities and an interactive and creative platform for the business community in the Sandyford Business District.

Sandyford Business Estates Association

Project Description: ‘Destination Sandyford’ Marketing Initiative by home ware and furnishing retailers in the Sandyford Business District.

Sandyford Business Estates Association

Project Description: Sandyford Business District Communication and PR Campaign aimed at repositioning Sandyford from an Industrial Estate to a Business District.