War of words erupts over 'discrimination' claims on local school places 

Minister for Social Protection and Meath East TD Regina Doherty has blasted her constituency colleague Thomas Byrne TD over recent claims that discrimination against new migrants was the underlying reason why additional school places are not being provided in Ashbourne. 

The Minister said that she met recently with her colleague, Minister for Education Joe McHugh TD and he has assured her that his Department fully recognises there’s a need for more school spaces in Ashbourne.

“I understand that the Department of Education is currently looking at expanding an existing school to provide additional school places and I expect to have more details on this in the coming weeks.
“Ashbourne’s recently developed educational campus - which is the home of Colaiste de Lacy,  Ashbourne Educate Together NS and Gael Scoil na Mi, Ashbourne – was made possible by Government investment of €25m. This was one of the biggest investments ever made by the Department of Education.

“Ashbourne is a growing town and I will remain a vocal advocate to ensure that the town continues to receive the appropriate level of educational services – whether that is additional school places or ultimately a new school.”

In early 2018, concerns were raised locally that up to 120 children were on waiting lists for primary schools in Ashbourne. Contingency measures with principals and school patrons meant the issue did not materialise in Sept 2018 enrolments. Nevertheless, the Minister claims the Government is committed to more school places in Ashbourne.

Minister Doherty also responded to recent claims by Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne TD that discrimination against new migrants was the underlying reason why additional school places are not being provided in Ashbourne.

Speaking in the Dail earlier this week, Deputy Thomas Byrne, Fianna Fail's education spoksperson, asked the Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, his plans to provide more post-primary spaces in Dunshaughlin, and primary places in Ashbourne. 

"I received a query to my office today concerning primary school places in Ashbourne from people who received a council house there. Their children go to school elsewhere but their children cannot get a place at a school in Ashbourne. 

Ashbourne's education campus

"I received another email, on the day this matter arose at the Joint Committee on Education and Skills, from a constituent whose child could not get into a primary school in Ashbourne. It must be said - and perhaps this is why the Department does not seem to be worried about the issue - that this problem often arises for people with eastern European or African backgrounds. 
"These children are Irish citizens, are resident here and are as entitled to satisfaction of their constitutional right to education as anyone else."

Minister McHugh responded: "There is no evidence whatsoever of discrimination, whether we are dealing with new migrants or Irish people."

Minister Doherty weighed in with her support for her cabinet colleague and blasted Deputy Byrne's claims.

Ashbourne's education campus

“I understand from my colleague, Minister McHugh that his Department’s demographic studies are carried out with great care. They are world away from the outdated models used when FF was last in Government and the country was facing a widespread capacity crisis in schools, just as that party sent the country over the cliff to economic collapse.

“The new demographic modelling takes account of a wealth of data including child benefit payments, existing enrolments, average intake of pupils, census data and information on additional residential developments from councils, An Bord Pleanala and the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund. The rules are applied equally to all 314 school planning areas in the country. There is no exception to that. There is no discrimination.”