It’s a fantastic school with great teachers and a brilliant principal but now the new secondary school in Portlaoise, Choláiste Dhun Masc, is a victim of its own popularity as the new school is rapidly running out of space.
Currently based in the old Tech building on Railway Street in the town centre, the new school requires a campus of its own to cater for demand and projected enrollment.
Choláiste Dhun Masc currently has 78 students in first and second year. The new second level school is a response to the high numbers of pupils graduating from primary schools in Portlaoise for the foreseeable future.
The Town’s other secondary schools are also operating close to full capacity.
Raising the issue this week, Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley told a meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal Area that the Choláiste patronage was awarded to the Laois-Offaly ETB in 2016 with the facilitation of a stream as Gaeilge.
There are a further 112 students enrolled for 2019 and they are now fully subscribed with no room for further enrolments in 2020.
Cllr Dwane called on the Minster for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh to expedite and sanction approval for a site for the new school.
The old convent had been mooted but that is no longer available and Cllr Dwane said that there is speculation about a potential site out the Timahoe Road.
“If there is going to be a site for this new school at the Timahoe Road, there is the issue of traffic congestion and a park and ride facility should be considered as part of the planning.
“The clock is ticking down to 2020 and the school which is a great success is not in a position to take in further students.
“Are we going to be back to prefabs in the Town’s schools,” asked Cllr Dwane.
Chairing the meeting, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald agreed with the sentiments of the proposal to contact the Education Minister to impress on him the nature of the numbers being enrolled and the demand for places.
Cllr Fitzgerald said that as a member of the school board she was fully aware of the situation.
“Enrolment is closed and there has been huge demand, the existing site is very confined. The new school is doing fantastic work but it urgently needs to have the capacity to expand and cater for the growing population in Portlaoise.”
“It is imperative that the Minister responds to this need quickly,” agreed Cllr Mary Sweeney who is also a member of the school board.
