‘Families are facing a real crisis as it becomes clear there will not be enough school places for local children this September’

A school place crisis is looming in Dunshaughlin as demand exceeds the number of primary school places available.

Upwards of 20 children could be left without school placeS, according to Deputy Darren O’Rourke, who has expressed serious concern that there will not be enough accomodation for children in Dunshaughlin this September, due to unprecedented demand.

One parent who is extremely worried is Jennifer O'Bryan who hasn't been able to get a place for her son, Rian, who should be starting school in September.

"We applied for St Seachnaill’s, the Community National School and Rathbeggan, but we couldn't get a place and have been told he's on a waiting list. We didn't apply to the Gaelscoil because my own Irish is minimal and I didn't think I could help him with homework and such.

"We moved to Dunshaughlin in 2022 and were told when we were buying our home that there would be plenty of school places. We don't know what to do now.

“Rian wouldn't do well if he had to do another year in playschool. We used to live in Leixlip and we are looking to see if we could get him a place there, but it would mean a lot of travelling," she said.

Ciara Whelan, principal of St Seachnaill's National School said they had to turn away 30 applicants this year.

"We are totally oversubscribed. In previous years, we might have had five or six on a waiting list when places were given out, but this year we have 30,” she said.

"I am hoping that some of them will get places in the Community National School.”

Deputy O’Rourke is calling on the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, to take urgent action to ensure that every child in the area has access to a school place.

"Families in Dunshaughlin are facing a crisis as it becomes increasingly clear that there will not be enough school places for local children this September. At this stage, if no additional capacity is added to the local schools beyond what is currently planned, we could have more than 20 children without a school place come September.

"This is an issue that has been brewing for some time, but the scale of demand this year is unprecedented. Parents are rightly worried, and they need clarity and reassurance from the Minister for Education.

"Dunshaughlin has experienced significant population growth in recent years, and that is to be welcomed. However, the Department of Education and successive ministers have failed to plan adequately for this growth, leaving local schools oversubscribed and families in limbo and with a very anxious wait.

"The Department of Education has been aware of the demographic pressures in Dunshaughlin for years, yet we are now facing a situation where children may be left without a school place in just a few months’ time.

“This is completely unacceptable. Every child has a right to access education, and it is the responsibility of the minister to ensure that sufficient school places are available.

"I am calling on the minister to engage directly with local schools and parents to address the issue as a matter of urgency. I also urge the Department to explore all options, including the provision of additional temporary accommodation in advance of September, and the acceleration of long-term school building projects.

"This is a solvable problem, but it requires immediate action."

The Minister for Education, local Meath East TD, Helen McEntee said that the Department had identified a need for additional places this year and would be engaging with a number of schools in the locality this week about added capacity for September.

"Every child will have a place in September," she said.

The minister also pointed out that there were a number of school projects in the area in planning.