Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
673. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills to sanction an additional class for a school (details supplied ) in County Dublin, given that over 46 children who meet the eligibility category enrolment criteria for the school have not been granted a place for September 2016, and that other schools in the area are similarly oversubscribed. [5673/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school referred to has recently applied to my Department for capital funding to replace existing prefabs and to provide four additional Special Education rooms and a General Purpose room. The application is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority once the assessment process is completed.
The school in question sought additional accommodation in recent years to cater for a 7th class of junior infants. The school was advised that the Department was not in a position to accede to the school's request at that time given the spare capacity in other schools of the same ethos serving the area.
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. My Department continues to monitor the position to ensure that schools in the area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places.
