John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)

Each year in Greystones, children are being left without secondary school places. This year, up to 29 students have no place, including one student who repeated sixth class after missing out last year. This student still has no offer of a school place and that is an absolute disgrace. We need a common enrolment policy, but there is another simple solution and that is building a post-primary school in Newtownmountkennedy. The Minister for education recently informed me that there are no plans for a school there, citing demographic growth as a key factor. However, Newtownmountkennedy has seen a 32% increase in primary enrolments and is one of the fastest growing towns within the State. Land has been zoned in that town for educational purposes, for a secondary school, as far back as 2002. Will the Government finally take action to deal with the annual battle for school places for students and go ahead with the long-awaited secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy?

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