Local Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley raised the issue of lack of school places in Portlaoise in the Dáil this week with Taoiseach Leo Varadker.
“I raised this in the Dail due to the number of parents coming to me with difficulty getting a place in Primary Schools for their children, Deputy Stanley said.
“The situation has reached a critical point as the population continues to increase. One clear indicator of this is baptism figures continue to rise in Portlaoise Parish, despite the fact in other parts of the country they are decreasing.
“Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) have sent a draft proposal to the Department of Education, but this is not receiving the sense of urgency it requires.”
It comes a week on from a proposal had been brought to life for a new Community National School to be built in Clonad, aimed at easing the growing problem in Portlaoise.
Addressing the Taoiseach in the Dáil, Deputy Stanley said: “There is a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce class sizes, which is welcome.
“However, in Portlaoise town, 200 children who are in need of school places at primary level cannot get them. Children are being bussed to Mountmellick, Stradbally, Ratheniska, Mountrath, Timahoe, Barnashrone and The Heath every morning.
“Existing primary schools are bulging at the seams. Some new schools have been provided and I have welcomed those new schools over the past ten years. However, a few prefabs will not solve this problem.
“There is a consensus locally that a new school is needed. The Department acknowledges there is significant pressure in the area. We do not have any easy way of solving the issue.
“New and enormous estates are being built on the edge of the town. The population is growing. It is the fastest-growing town in the country outside Dublin. The education and training board, ETB, wants to be a patron.
“I ask the Taoiseach to raise this issue with the Minister for Education. It is a pressing issue as September is coming. Action is required.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar responded, saying: “I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this important issue, which I will take up with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley.
“We now have a school building programme every year and beautiful new schools are being built and new extensions are being added around the country.
“Where a new school is needed, it is provided.
“Sometimes the new school is not provided quickly enough but it is provided. I will ensure the Minister, Deputy Foley, is aware that the issue was raised, and I will ask her to come back to the Deputy directly.”
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