Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

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.

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