Need for second-level school in Duleek highlighted

The campaign for a second- level school for Duleek was raised in the Seanad last week by Senator Sharon Keogan.

Senator Keogan has also sought a meeting with the Taoiseach on the issue, warning that with all the new developments taking place in east Meath, the next few years will see parents struggling to find school places for their children.

“Duleek and all of east Meath is growing and we have an ideal site here in the village for a second level school,” she said.

"We have a site on Station Road, which is ideal. It is accessible, it is zoned educational and the Bishop of Meath has indicated he will make it available. There is access from Station Road, pedestrian access from Main Street and it is possible there could be access for buses through the business park.

“It is a 27-acre site, so it would be a fantastic educational campus and could cater for adult education at night.”

Senator Keogan said there are already 1,000 pupils in the Duleek Boys and Girls National Schools.

“We also have Mount Hanover and Bellewstown National School in the parish and other schools in the catchment area are Donore, Knockcommon, Ardcath, Cushinstown, Kentstown, Skryne, Rathfeigh, Yellow Furze and Clonalvy.

“There are a lot of children in the catchment area and there are a lot of Ukrainian children coming here who will also need school places,” she said.

“At the moment, people are leaving their homes at 7.30am to bring children to schools in Drogheda. It is not sustainable.

“It would be much more sustainable if the young people of Duleek could walk or cycle to school. This is the type of village we should aspire to being.”

She said there are difficulties getting school places.

“Parents are putting their children's names down for three or four schools to make sure they get a place.

“With all the development that is currently taking place in South Drogheda, Grange Rath, all the schools in that area are going to be full with children from those area.

“Children from Rathfeigh and Skryne have to leave very early to travel to schools in Navan, where again with the growing population, there will be a struggle to get places,” she said.

Campaigners for a secondary school for Duleek were disappointed in 2018 when the government announced a 600 pupil post primary school for the Drogheda/east Meath catchment area and they campaigned for it to be located in Duleek, but the school was located it in Donacarney.

“We will still need another school in this area as the population has increased and is continuing to grow,” said Senator Keogan.