Cllrs frustration at news that ‘there’s not sufficient unmet demand for a new post primary school in Duleek’

Frustration has been expressed in the Duleek area, as it was revealed there are no plans for a secondary school in Duleek.

Education Minister Hildegard Naughton said there was not a sufficient unmet demand to establish a new post primary school in Duleek. She was responding to a Dail question by Deputy Darren O'Rourke.

Cllr Maria White expressed deep frustration at the response.

“I am deeply frustrated that the plans for a new secondary school in Duleek are unlikely to take effect.

“Minister Naughton said that new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students. She went on to say that there are currently less than 500 post primary school children living in the Duleek area and that capacity has been provided for these pupils in existing post primary schools.

“Minister Naughton also referred to the fact that primary school enrolment data indicates that the demand for post primary school places in this area is projected to reduce in the coming years. However, it has been well established that demand for post primary school places is to reduce right across the state in the coming years. This is not a unique set of circumstances for Duleek alone.

“I believe that there needs to be a holistic approach taken when it comes to establishing new schools.

“Duleek has two primary schools full of students, once they finish their primary school education, they have no other choice but to leave their local village to attend secondary schools in neighbouring towns. This means that most children must rely on transport to get to school.

“We know all too well the major difficulties for children availing of school transport.

“Each year, I have numerous parents contact me who have not received a ticket for their child to avail of school transport. We also know that there are consistent issues with public transport, making it unreliable for many commuters.

“As a school principal myself, I am very passionate about our education system. I truly believe that the school is at the heart of the community. When schools are nearby, children are more likely to attend on time and every day. Longer commutes to secondary school can cause fatigue, lateness and absenteeism.

“Local schools bring families together and encourage parents to be involved, they often become centres for community events, strengthening relationships among residents.

“Duleek has seen significant population growth in recent years following the construction of several new residential estates.

“We need to look at the human experience of being able to attend your local secondary school in your own village.

“There should not be such a major focus on reaching a threshold for a school to be built. I understand that there cannot be a secondary school in a village with no demand for one, but it is clear to me that there absolutely is a demand for Duleek to have its very own secondary school.

Cllr White said that for many years the Department of Education has championed inclusion.

“At the heart of inclusion is the belief that every child has a right to attend their local school. This right is not just limited to primary school. Therefore, it is unacceptable to me that the Department is essentially denying the children who live in Duleek and those in the immediate surrounding areas the right to attend a local secondary school. Secondary schools as far as 20km away form Duleek are considered ‘local’ for students in Duleek. This is an insult to the concept of community and schools who are at the heart of a community.

“Meath County Council has already acknowledged the considerable growth in Duleek over the past 20 years. The Council has said that they will ensure there is sufficient community zoning in place to accommodate a school for Duleek in the future. In my own area on the East Meath coast, we have seen the government struggling to play catch up to deliver school buildings to match the population growth and influx of students. We cannot have a repeat of this situation in Duleek.

“We will continue to put pressure on this government to deliver for the families and more importantly the students in Duleek who deserve a secondary school building within their community.”

In response to Deputy O'Rourke, Minister Naughton new schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

“Duleek is located in the Drogheda school planning area. Based on analysis undertaken, it is deemed that there is not a sufficient unmet demand in the Drogheda SPA to establish a new post primary school,” she said.

“The pace of delivery of additional residential developments, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of further school requirements across school planning areas,” she added.