Plans for a new school in Knocknacarra, while half the pupils in an existing Gaelscoil remain in prefabs, have been branded as “nonsensical” by a Government TD.
Fine Gael Galway West TD Brian Walsh has also questioned the need to build a new school in the area, pointing out that the existing schools in Knocknacarra already have capacity to accommodate almost 1,000 additional students.
According to figures compiled by principals of primary schools within a 4.5km radius of Knocknacarra, there will be 317 spare places for pupils next September. In addition, 23 classrooms are currently empty and could accommodate a further 672 pupils.
However, the Department of Education and Skills contends that there is a demographic need for a new primary school and intends to press ahead with construction for September 2013.
“The department suggests a new school will be required to cater for an anticipated increase in demographics west of the city in coming years, but that is clearly not the case,” said Dep Walsh.
Dep Walsh said the announcement of a new school would normally be welcome, but that it was “preposterous to proceed” while more than half of the pupils at Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh were being taught in prefab accommodation.
“Under no circumstances,” he said, “should a new school proceed while pupils in the existing Gaelscoil remain in temporary classrooms.”
