Mary received positive news of an increase in funding to €16m for the Rutland Street School Renovation Project under the URDF program.

The complete refurbishment of the Rutland Street School is deemed a priority initiative to transform the North East Inner City area and the Government is fully committed to delivery of this flagship project.

The vision for the Rutland Street School project is a complete transformation to a multi-use Community Hub creating a new civic landmark and a catalyst for further social and economic regeneration in the North Inner City area. It is envisaged that the facility will operate community, youth and childcare services, social/recreational/educational activities and municipal services.  The building will also provide multi-functional spaces for cultural, arts and music initiatives.

The refurbishment of the school, in tandem with the Council’s Greening and Public Realm strategies for the area, will open up Rutland Street as a link between the local shopping district of Talbot Street and the Sean Mac Dermott Street / Summerhill area.  The refurbishment of this iconic local building will also open up the potential to develop adjacent Dublin City Council lands for complementary uses – mixed tenure housing, commercial, leisure and retail.