Local Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon has this week confirmed that the Department of Education is now engaging with secondary school Principals in Athenry town in order to ensure sufficient school places in the town this September. In a letter to Deputy Cannon, officials say that they are aware of a potential shortage of places and are analysing enrolment data submitted by the three schools.
“All three secondary school Principals in Athenry have sat down together and gone through the enrolment numbers in great detail. They’re telling me that there will be a shortage of up to 80 first year places in September. They will also receive requests for enrolments across other years, arising from people moving into the area.
“I have raised their concerns in the Dáil, and also directly with officials in the Department of Education. It’s vital that they now work with Principals in solving this problem”, said Deputy Cannon.
In response to previously identified demographic pressures in the Athenry area, the Department of Education has delivered new 1,000 pupil school buildings for Presentation College and Clarin College. Additionally, there are projects in the pipeline for a new 450 pupil school building for Coláiste an Eachraidh and an extension to increase provision to 1,500 pupils for Clarin College.
“It is encouraging to hear that the Department is planning to develop a new Gaelcampus, in addition to increasing capacity at Clarin College to 1,500 pupils. However, work has yet to begin on either projects and it will take up to three years before that extra capacity is available.
“The Department’s School Building Unit needs to step in now and provide an immediate solution for this September. That has to be their priority and I’ll be maintaining pressure on them to ensure delivery”, concluded Deputy Cannon.
