Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister said there will be two identities. This is one of the key issues which the parents’ group did not want. The current post-primary school in Maynooth has a great reputation with great progression to third level, on a par with the private school sector, while catering very well for students at the other end of the spectrum with special needs. The school is a good model. Essentially, the community wanted and campaigned for the retention of the one-school model. In its campaign, the VEC gave the impression that this was what it was looking for too. At this stage, parents who participated in this process feel they were misled by the VEC, however.

There does not appear to be a solution other than going back to a ballot of the community. As a physical school will not be in place until this time next year, there is time to revisit this matter to get it right. There is deep upset with the current proposals. People in the community had a strong understanding what they wanted. Now, they feel the consultation process has not delivered on what the parents said they wanted.

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