Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Page 86 of the programme for Government contains the statement that education is the key to giving every child an equal opportunity in life. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. A situation has arisen in St. Declan's community college in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, a school under the patronage of Waterford-Wexford ETB. For the enrolment year 2018-19, demand has exceeded capacity for 21 students who attend local primary schools. A parent whose family lives 426 ft from the school contacted me this morning to say demand had exceeded capacity. The school simply is a victim of its own success. A couple of years ago it was a 120 pupil school, whereas now it takes in 150, but the demand is for 171 places. I had hoped to raise this matter with the Minister for Education and Skills. In the short term the solution is the provision of additional accommodation in the form of prefabs. Will the Taoiseach give the matter his best attention?

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