asked the Minister for Education the number of children currently in sixth class in primary schools in Ashbourne, County Meath; the numbers projected for sixth classes in primary school in Ashbourne in each of the next three years; how many of these it is expected will be catered for when they move into secondary level by Dunshaughlin Community College; the arrangements being made for the transportation of these children to second level schools in Dublin and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the secondary education crisis in Ashbourne.
Written Answers. - Ashbourne (Meath) Primary Schools.
174.
There are three primary schools in Ashbourne, including one all-Irish school. The total number at present in sixth class in these schools is 116. The total numbers projected for sixth class for each of the next three years are 106, 118 and 161. I am not aware of any crisis relating to the provision of second level education for pupils from Ashbourne. My Department has sanctioned the building of a new community school there which will be completed in time to provide for a projected significant increase in the number of pupils seeking post primary education in the Ashbourne area at the end of this decade.
Pupils from Ashbourne qualify for post primary school transport to Dunshaughlin community college which is their appropriate post primary education centre.
A special school transport service operates from the Ashbourne area to Dunshaughlin and is available to all post primary pupils from the area who wish to attend that centre.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 159 and 160 on 4 November 1986 in connection with transport for pupils from the Ashbourne area who attend schools in Dublin.