Families ‘still scrambling for school places’

FAMILIES living in North Dublin are “scrambling for places” in schools ever year, a local TD has said, with those based in the northern fringes of Balgriffin, Clongriffin and Baldoyle particularly impacted by the lack of availability in local schools.

Labour education spokesperson and TD for Dublin Bay North Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has hit out the “a lack of foresight from the Department of Education” after plans for 58 new schools nationwide have been stalled.

The Department of Education has confirmed that 58 projects due to go to tender or construction are on hold. The department said it would provide “clarity” to schools about forthcoming building projects as soon as possible amid concerns about widespread delays.

Already, Educate Together has been informed of delays to a number of new builds that were expected to start this year.

Spiralling construction inflation and demand for additional accommodation, such as for special needs classes and Ukrainian pupils, are eating into the budget allocation for 2023.

About 300 school building projects — including more than 40 new buildings — were already in construction at the start of 2023, most of which will be completed in 2023/early 2024, the department said.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin has called on Education Minister Norma Foley to provide detail on the potential knock-on effect of the failed projects.

“It is deeply concerning that Minister Foley has failed to grasp the Education Budget and spend monies allocated to the Department efficiently. With runaway construction inflation, the increasing cost was entirely predictable,” he said.

“To learn that up to 58 school building projects have been stalled is deeply concerning. Nationwide, school communities are under enormous pressure to accommodate local children who need a place for September.