My Department is aware of the proposal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy to enrol a 7th stream of junior infants from September 2014. It is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in catchment areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense or the viability of another school. This may sometimes result in children not being offered a place in their school of first choice.
As I have previously advised, there are currently two schools in the area concerned that have either lost or are due to lose mainstream teaching posts. These schools therefore have spare capacity within their buildings and have expressed a willingness to accept an additional stream of Junior Infants each, to alleviate any pressure on places in the area. This undertaking was given by these schools on 19th March last after contact with my Department. Prior to that date, children may have been refused a school place in the two schools in question but this should no longer be the case. It is in that context that my Department's decision to refuse sanction for a 7th stream at the school referred to by the Deputy remains unchanged.
