Education Minister working to combat shortage of Wicklow primary school places

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

The Education Minister has confirmed she is working to address the shortage of primary school places in parts of north Wicklow.

120 primary school children in Wicklow town and Rathnew do not have school places for September.

Of the students, 36 are junior infants and the rest of them are spread across the other school years.

Six primary schools in the area (St. Coen's, St. Patrick's, Holy Rosary School, Glebe National School, Educate Together and Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin) came together in January because they had identified a capacity issue. They raised concerns with the Department saying that they believed they would be oversubscribed for the new school term.

Shortages also recorded in Greystones.

Following a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD in Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore, Helen McEntee indicated the Department is engaging with the schools in the affected areas to make sure that every child has a place before the new term begins in September.

“This must happen in every area, particularly where there is a population increase. We are actively engaged in the area. If there is a need to work more closely with the Tusla education support service for schools, and for students, that will happen.

“My understanding is that there are places available. It is about making sure children can get access to those places.”

Separately Deputy Whitmore raised the issue of special education supports for schools in Wicklow.

“Ashford national school has two SNAs. One of them is fully allocated to one student. The schools' request for additional support was rejected and its appeal has been postponed.

“Marino special school in Bray had its SNA review cancelled two days before it was due to take place. They have had no information since then.”

“The Dominican College in Wicklow was due to open an ASD classroom this September. It had accepted students on that basis and then the classroom was cancelled.”

“St. Laurence's in Greystones had its SNA review cancelled at short notice.”

“New Court special school is missing nearly half the SNA supports it needs.”

"My feeling is that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), is moving from one process to another that is due to begin in the next school year.”

“However, that is leaving huge gaps for schools preparing for September.” she added.

In response Minister McEntee acknowledged the need for extra supports.

“We need to get to a position where allocations are made at a particular time to allow schools to have an opportunity, well before the summer recess, to make appeals in order that they will have the resources in place for September and will know exactly what they are getting.

“We also need to make sure that we have a system and a structure in place for the NCSE to be able to conduct reviews that are asked for and for schools to conduct reviews throughout the school year.”