Sinn Féin for Wicklow, John Brady, has today slammed the Government for its ongoing failure to ensure an adequate number of secondary school places in Greystones and surrounding areas are provided, a crisis that is now repeating itself year after year.
Deputy Brady raised the issue directly with An Taoiseach on the floor of the Dáil, demanding urgent action. However, he has expressed deep frustration that no solutions whatsoever were offered by the Taoiseach in response.
“This is not a new problem – each and every year the same issue happens” Deputy Brady said. “Once again, there is a shortfall of 29 secondary school places for children moving on from primary school in Greystones and surrounding areas. Every year, the government promises action, and every year families are let down. It’s disgraceful and entirely avoidable”.
Deputy Brady warned that all existing secondary school buildings in Greystones and Kilcoole are now at full capacity, with no physical space left for further extensions or additional classrooms. “We are not just talking about a lack of school places, we are talking about the absence of any forward planning. What happens next year? What about students with special educational needs who may require dedicated classes? The physical space or capacity just isn’t there, the Department of Education is failing to plan accordingly”.
Brady noted the emotional toll this recurring issue is taking on local families. “Parents are anxious, children are stressed, and communities are frustrated. These are young people starting a new chapter in their lives and instead of excitement, they’re being met with uncertainty and exclusion. It’s simply not fair”.
Brady pointed to two long standing proposals he has consistently put forward to address the issue: the introduction of a common enrolment policy across post-primary schools in Greystones, and the development of a badly needed new post-primary school in Newtownmountkennedy.
“These are practical and achievable steps. A common enrolment policy would make the system fairer and more transparent, and a new school in Newtownmountkennedy would relieve the growing pressure on schools in Greystones and give students in Newtownmountkennedy, Roundwood and surrounding areas a local school option”, Brady said.
However, in recent correspondence, the Minister for Education confirmed that the Department has “no plans” to develop a post-primary school in Newtownmountkennedy, stating that new schools are only built in response to demographic demand.
“That response is quite frankly laughable”, Brady said. “Newtownmountkennedy is one the fastest growing towns in the country, with a 32% increase in primary school enrolments in recent years. This number will only increase when development works are completed on the two local primary schools. If that does not qualify as demographic demand, then something is seriously wrong in the Department’s planning process”.
He also pointed out that land in Newtownmountkennedy has been zoned for educational use since 2002. “That’s 23 years. The land is there, the need is there, the population is growing – but the political will is missing by successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments. This could have and should have been resolved long ago”.
Deputy Brady concluded by renewing his call for urgent action from the Government. “The time for excuses is over. The government must implement a common enrolment policy in Greystones and begin development of a new secondary school in Newtownmountkennedy. I am particularly calling on local TD and Tánaiste Simon Harris to intervene and put an end to this unnecessary worry caused to children and their families. These communities deserve more than empty promises. They deserve leadership, investment and proper planning for their children’s future”.