Minister to look at need for another secondary school in Dunboyne

As the population of Dunboyne continues to rise, Education Minister, Norma Foley has undertaken to look at the need for a second post primary school for the town.

Following representations from LMETB chairman and local councillor, Damien O'Reilly, the Minister responded that she would be making enquiries about this matter and would be back in touch again as soon as possible.

With a planning application in for a new 700 unit housing development in Dunboyne and provision for 2,500 housing units in the County Development Plan, St Peter's College, Dunboyne is expected to come under pressure in the coming years.

According to Cllr O'Reilly, the existing secondary school will not be able to cope with the increase in population over the next few years.

"We need to start planning for the future now, and not when it is too late. We really need to start working on this now otherwise the time will come when even local children won't be guaranteed a school place.

"Dunshaughlin has grown significantly in recent years, but it is now future-proofed for second level education with a second Post-Primary school in town with Colaiste Rioga.

"It is now time Dunboyne also began the process of having a second Post-Primary school in the town as we prepare for the growth in population.

"In recent months, I've begun the process with the Department of Education and I've proposed Meath County Council write to the Department of Education to begin the process of securing a site and seeking planning permission for a second, post-primary school."

Cllr O'Reilly also requested LMETB to write to the Department of Education to begin the process.

"We are looking at at least 2,500 new high density housing units in the coming years. We need to act now to ensure that the town can cope. "

Cllr Maria Murphy, who is chair of the Board of Management of St Peter's College said they can see the pressure increasing in the last few years.

"We can still take in all the local children at this present time, but our additional capacity is reducing year on year.

"We are going to need a second post primary school and preparation is the key. It will become a huge issue if tackled too late. It is better to be early rather than late."

Cllr Murphy explained that with four primary schools in the parish, Dunboyne Senior Primary Schools, St Peter's Dunboyne, Gaelscoil Thulach na nOg and Kilbride National School, there are 200 to 300 students looking to enter first year in St Peters every year.

"We had to change our admissions policy a number of years ago to protect places for the local students.

“We take pupils from just three outlier schools now, Rathbeggan NS, Rathregan NS and Kilcloon NS.

"At the moment, local families are not being refused but there are a couple of very large housing developments pending for which planning has yet to be submitted.

"Nowadays people come to these new housing developments with children looking for school places.

"Colaiste Rioga is taking some students from Rathbeggan and Rathregan, and there are those sending children to schools in the city and to private schools, but the problem is coming down the line and we need to prepare for it.

"You can see the pressure when you look at the numbers enrolling last year.

"There were 210 places in First Year for the 2022/2023 school year, but there were 305 applicants.

"I don't expect we will get approval in the short term, but we really needs to start planning now," she said.