asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties which have arisen with parents of prospective pupils of St. Martin de Porres national school, Aylesbury, Tallaght, Dublin 24 which has been instructed by her Department not to allow its numbers to exceed 639 in the school year commencing September, 1988 which is only one more than the current enrolment number; that there are 101 applicants for places this September but that there will be only 38 vacancies if her instructions are to be observed; that this would mean in many cases younger brothers and sisters of existing pupils not being placed in this school and having to go to schools elsewhere, causing enormous difficulty for parents but this also means first children of families actually living on the same road as the school not being admitted as in a case (details supplied); if, in these circumstances, she will approve the application by the school for semi-permanent extensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Tallaght, Dublin, National School.
The general position is that the excess of demand over places available in a school should be catered for in any school within a reasonable distance in which sufficient suitable accommodation is available. Where enrolment is to be restricted, it is for the board of management to decide what pupils or category of pupil will be admitted.
Currently, the enrolment of pupils at St. Martin de Porres national school is in excess of its permanent accommodation of 16 classrooms together with its ancillary accommodation, the temporary use of which as classrooms is also involved. In these circumstances, the school was advised in March 1987 to restrict its intake of new pupils for the school year beginning 1 September 1987 to that appropriate to its permanent accommodation and to divert any additional pupils to nearby schools, with particular reference to St. Maelruans national school, a school with available accommodation and only a half mile away.
In September 1987, St. Martins admitted pupils in excess of the number advised by the Department and the school was asked in November 1987 for an explanation. This was not received until 14 March 1988; it is now being examined and a further letter will issue to the school in due course. There can be no question, however, of any additional accommodation being provided at St. Martins national school as there is sufficient available classroom accommodation within a reasonable distance.