Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Is the Taoiseach aware of various statements made by the Minister for Education and Science to the effect that she proposes to introduce VEC-based primary schools for areas such as west Dublin and Fingal where there has been a significant growth in population? She plans to establish schools after other schools in the area have full enrolments. Effectively, she plans to provide schools for children without places, nearly all of whom are international children. However, it appears she cannot do so in respect of VECs without legislation.

For the seventh year in a row, parents in the area are concerned by the desperate scramble to find primary school places. The Minister has promised extra schools, but those attending the extra last-minute schools she introduced last year, including one under the patronage of Educate Together——

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