Maynooth schools ‘are bursting at the seams’

File image: The comments were heard at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting.

placeholder image — File image: The comments were heard at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting.

The local representative said he wanted a special council meeting to address the matter

Primary and secondary chools in Maynooth 'are bursting at the seams', according to one Kildare county councillor.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil made the comments at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on Friday, April 5 last.

He asked Kildare County Council (KCC): "Can the council clarify that there are sufficient primary and secondary school places in this MD to satisfy demand over the next ten years?”

Speaking further on his views, Cllr Ó Cearúil told KCC: "Primary and secondary schools in Maynooth are bursting at the seams.

"I would like if KCC could ask its Planning Department to arrange a special meeting for the MD dedicated to examining this issue, because I feel as if we are falling behind (as an MD)."

KCC replied to his question with the following report at the meeting: "The Department of Education has confirmed that under the National Development Plan (NDP), almost €250m has been invested in schools in Kildare over the last five years.

"This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in the pipeline including for the North Kildare area."

Fianna Fáil Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil.

KCC continued: "In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare.

"In response, the Department is progressing a number of building projects in North Kildare under the NDP.

"This includes projects at primary and post-primary schools, and includes provision for mainstream accommodation as well as for children with special educational needs."

KCC concluded: "The Forward Planning team will continue to liaise with the Department in the preparation of Local Area Plans to ensure sufficient land is zoned at appropriate locations for the provision of additional schools as required."