Lack of secondary school places in east Cork raised in the Dáil

Monday, 24 May 2021 09:00

The lack of secondary school places in East Cork has been raised in the Dáil.

East Cork TD David Stanton is calling for a temporary school to be set up by 2023 after some parents were told that one school in the region had a waiting list of up to 290 students.

Pobalscoil na Tríonóide in Youghal has recently been given the greenlight for a modular extension for 200 students, however concerns remain for some students who have not yet received a place at schools in Midleton and Carrigtwohill.

Speaking to RedFM News, Deputy David Stanton says East Cork needs more schools in the long term.

"I know at the moment all the schools are at capacity, they're under pressure from the point of view of actual physical space in the school buildings.

"What I have suggested is if the Minister would establishing another secondary school in East Cork, albeit in temporary accommodation in September 2023.

"We know with the Waterrock plans where they're planning on building thousands of houses that we will need new schools anyway, but it takes a long time to build a school.

"You can start a school in a short period of time in temporary accommodation, otherwise we're going to be facing the same issues again."