Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jun 1991

Vol. 410 No. 1

Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) School Places.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

68 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if she will outline (a) the projected enrolments in second level schools in the Tallaght area for 1991-92, (b) if her attention has been drawn to the concern in relation to present and future provision for pupils in local second level schools for the Aylesbury and Old Bawn areas, (c) whether her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the principals of local second level schools recognise the existence of a shortage of places, (d) if she has discussed with school principals a strategy for overcoming the shortage of places and (e) if she will assure parents that the Department is examining this problem, which is a source of worry to parents in the area.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The projected enrolments in second level schools in the Tallaght area for the 1991-92 school year are as follows:

Community Schools
Tallaght	925
Oldbawn	831
Killinarden	855
Brookfield	540
Springfield	1,068
Community Colleges
Firhouse	915
Jobstown	440

The total projected enrolment is 5,574 pupils in the seven schools which have accommodation for a total of 6,400 pupils. There is, therefore, no shortage of pupil places in the Tallaght area.

I am aware that a number of pupils had initial difficulties in finding a place in the school, or schools, nearest their homes. Officials of my Department have had discussions on the matter with school principals in the Tallaght area and with representatives of the Tallaght Education Council. I now understand that the problems relating to pupils enrolling for the coming school year have been satisfactorily resolved.

My Department will continue to monitor the enrolment and accommodation situation at post-primary level in Tallaght on a regular basis.