Outrage over funding snub for ‘overcrowded’ south Meath schools

THERE is outrage in South Meath that badly needed school projects in Ashbourne and Dunboyne were not prioritised in the National Development Plan.

Both Colaiste De Lacy in Ashbourne and Dunboyne Senior National School have planning permissions in place for additional accommodation, which are due to expire, but there is no sign of funding for either school.

Coláiste De Lacy secondary school in Ashbourne was built for a student population of 450 but there are currently 930 students enrolled.

In Dunboyne hundreds of local children attend school each day in an ageing building, with several classes accommodated in additional portacabins due to capacity pressures.

Cllr Helen Meyer said it was extremely frustrating that schools in Ashbourne have been left behind and given no mention whatsoever in the development plan.

“There are currently 930 students enrolled Coláiste De Lacy which exceeds the initial capacity expectation.

“Overcrowded schools in Ashbourne and indeed right across the county will be of no surprise to anyone, considering the major population increase in the county in recent years. There is planning permission for over 1,000 new homes in Ashbourne, I have no doubt that this will increase the need for additional classrooms and other school facilities to accommodate the heightened demand.

“Although planning permission to extend the building of Coláiste De Lacey was granted one year ago, no funds have been allocated from the National Development Plan for this extension for the next two years. This is a major lack of foresight and will only add pressure to schools that are already crowded and struggling to accommodate the current number of students enrolled.

“Deputy Darren O’Rourke and I will continue to raise this pressing issue at both local and national level, until schools in Meath are provided with the funding and resources to develop their buildings and to properly accommodate an ever-growing number of students in the area”.

Cllr Maria Murphy has called for the new school building for Dunboyne Senior National School to be fast tracked.

“There are a lot of students in portacabins, including special classes. Planning permission is in place for this project but if it doesn't go ahead soon, it will expire. There need to be a really critical look at what we need for families and children in this area,” she said.

On its Facebook page the Dunboyne Junior and Senior Primary School Parents Association has put out a call to action, urging parents to contact their local public representatives to ask that their new school building project be prioritised.

“We all want our children learning in an environment that reflects the care, ambition, and future we all share for them. For too long, however, our school community has been waiting for progress on the delivery of a new school building — now the longest-standing school build delay in the county.

“Today, hundreds of local children attend school each day in an ageing building. Recent weather has once again highlighted infrastructure concerns and serves as a reminder that our children deserve better. Meanwhile, Dunboyne continues to grow at an extraordinary pace, with significant new housing developments welcoming more families into our community. It is only reasonable that essential school infrastructure grows alongside it.”

The Parents Association has written to local TDs and the Minister for Education to seek clarity, timelines, and meaningful progress.

“But real change is most likely when a community speaks together,” they said. “If you feel, as we do, that our children deserve a school building that matches their potential, we encourage you to contact your local public representatives and ask that this project be prioritised. Collective voices matter. When a community stands together, it is heard.”