Discussions held on new secondary school for Navan

Initial engagement on the provision of a new secondary school in North Navan has taken place between Meath Co Council and the Department of Education.

At a meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week, Cllr Tommy Reilly sought an update from the Department of Education on the provision of a secondary school in North Navan.

He was told Meath Co Council had some initial engagement with the Department on the provision of a secondary school in North Navan and discussions were ongoing in relation to potential locations and their suitability.

Cllr Reily said that land had been identified for a second level school when the council were preparing the area plan.

"We identified a site beside Scoil Naomh Eoin, but the Department seems to be dragging their feet."

Following the meeting Cllr Reilly said he had sent an email to the Department because of the need need to see movement on the issue.

"There is a huge need for another secondary school in Navan and in particularly in north Navan. There is no secondary school in the north of the town.

"There are so many families not able to get their children into the local secondary schools, even those that have siblings in the schools.

"I know of many families that are devastated because they cannot a get a school place in Navan for their children.

"Dunshaughlin aren't taking students from Navan anymore and some Navan families have to send their children to school in Kells, Athboy and Nobber.

"If you could see all the youngsters going down the hill everyday from north Navan to schools like St Pat’s, St Michael’s and the Mercy.

They are walking long distance s to the other side of town in wet weather and have to sit in their wet clothes all day, but there is land up beside them that would be ideal for a new secondary school."

Cllr Reilly said that a new second level school in north Navan would be a huge benefit to the environment as it would help alleviate the traffic jams.

"There is a huge need for more schools in Navan. The town is growing all the time, there are hundreds of more houses being built. St Pat's have 1,000 students now, all of the schools are at capacity."

Cllr O’Reilly pointed out that he is a member of the council's economic forum with issues to be resolved. "The forum is talking about the town growing to a population of 60,000 in the coming years. What are we going to do about about schools for all these families?" he asked.