We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Secondary school places in Greystones

Summary

John Brady highlights 29 children without secondary-school places and seeks a school in Newtownmountkennedy; the Taoiseach will ask the Education Minister to review the cases and school-planning assessment.

Each year in Greystones, children are being left without secondary school places. This year, up to 29 students have no place, including one student who repeated sixth class after missing out last year. This student still has no offer of a school place and that is an absolute disgrace. We need a common enrolment policy, but there is another simple solution and that is building a post-primary school in Newtownmountkennedy. The Minister for education recently informed me that there are no plans for a school there, citing demographic growth as a key factor. However, Newtownmountkennedy has seen a 32% increase in primary enrolments and is one of the fastest growing towns within the State. Land has been zoned in that town for educational purposes, for a secondary school, as far back as 2002. Will the Government finally take action to deal with the annual battle for school places for students and go ahead with the long-awaited secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy?

Comment on this

First, the Department makes its assessment in respect of new schools in terms of demographics, existing schools in the area that may be absorbing a lot at second level, and future trends. I am not in a position right here to question the work the Department has done on this. I will raise it with the Minister and indicate that the Deputy has raised this issue in Greystones on the Order of Business. I will particularly ask about the 29 students who are, from what the Deputy is saying, still awaiting places. I would hope progress could be made in respect of those 29 students for next September.

Comment on this