Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely believe that there is more of a crisis in Newbridge than Mr. Power is indicating. Over the last two or three years, parents have been approaching me on a regular basis who cannot get their children into schools. I accept that it is specific schools that they are trying to get their children into. However, parents are also concerned about the element of choice of education. While I accept that a school has to be established first and then the patronage follows, we cannot ignore the fact that there are two very successful new Educate Together primary schools in Newbridge and Kildare. There is obviously a very strong school community around them and those parents want an element of choice. I certainly believe the numbers are sufficient to merit a new secondary school. I was very disappointed that although it was on the list in 2015, it is not there now.

I raised the GIS earlier in respect of special education provision. That is being left out and is not being factored in enough in respect of our whole secondary school provision.