Plans for new Duleek secondary school unlikely to proceed, says Meath councillor
Plans for a new secondary school in Duleek are unlikely to proceed after the Department of Education confirmed there is insufficient demand in the area, a local councillor has said.
Sinn Féin councillor Maria White, who represents the Bettystown/Laytown municipal district and is also a school principal, said she was “deeply frustrated” by the decision, which she said failed to take account of the lived experience of families in the village.
The comments follow a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke, in which Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton said the Drogheda school planning area does not meet the criteria for a new post-primary school.
According to the minister, new secondary schools must typically cater for between 600 and 1,000 students. She said there are currently fewer than 500 post-primary-aged children living in the Duleek area and that existing schools have sufficient capacity to accommodate them.
Cllr White said a more “holistic approach” was needed when planning new schools.
“Duleek has two primary schools full of students. Once they finish their primary education, they have no other choice but to leave their local village to attend secondary schools in neighbouring towns,” she said.
“This means that most children must rely on transport to get to school. Each year I have numerous parents contact me who have not received a ticket for their child to avail of school transport, while public transport remains unreliable for many commuters.”
She said longer commutes can have a negative impact on students’ wellbeing and attendance.
“As a school principal myself, I am very passionate about our education system. I truly believe that schools are at the heart of communities,” she said.
“When schools are nearby, children are more likely to attend on time and every day. Longer commutes can cause fatigue, lateness and absenteeism.”
Duleek has experienced significant population growth in recent years, with several new housing developments completed or underway. At a recent meeting of the local municipal district, Fianna Fáil councillor Stephen McKee called for a secondary school in the area.
In response, Meath County Council acknowledged the scale of growth in Duleek over the past two decades and indicated that community-zoned land would be provided to accommodate a future school if required.
Cllr White said children should be able to attend a local secondary school in their own village.
“At the heart of inclusion is the belief that every child has a right to attend their local school. This right should not end at primary level,” she said.
“Secondary schools as far as 20km away from Duleek are considered ‘local’. This is an insult to the concept of community.”