Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with representatives of the parent body whose children urgently require a place to start school in Swords in September, where a school (details supplied) has been refused an extra class, even though many of these children have siblings in that school, and the alternative schools start at the same time, are a considerable distance away and have not, in any case, made offers of places. [23274/14]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the decision by the authorities of the school concerned to advise parents of the availability of a 7th stream of junior infant 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 of the viability of another school. This may sometimes result in children not being offered a place in their school of first choice.

There are currently two schools in the area with the same Patron as the school 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. This undertaking was given by these schools on 19th March last after contact with my 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. I do not consider that convening a meeting as proposed would be beneficial at this time.