Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has approved an extra junior infant class for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; if so, the number of places which will be available; and if the parents will be notified. [17582/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The position is that there are currently two schools in the area, referred to by the Deputy, that have either lost or are due to lose mainstream teaching posts. These schools therefore have spare capacity within their buildings and have expressed a willingness to accept an additional stream of Junior Infants each, to alleviate any pressure on places in the area which my Department has approved. This undertaking was given by these schools on 19 March last after contact with the Department. Prior to that date, children may have been refused a school place in the two schools in question but this should no longer be the case.

It is understood that parents have been advised of the additional classes approved, however, upon further contact with the two schools in question, my Department has been advised that each school has only received 2 to 3 enquiries from parents. In addition, the Department has sanctioned an additional class of junior infant places for a third school in the area in question for the 2014/15 school year to ease pressure for places. It is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in catchment areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense or the viability of another school. This may sometimes result in children not being offered a place in their school of first choice.