Concern for parents as all secondary schools in Drogheda either full or over-subscribed

An unpublished school capacity survey found that three out of four parents are unable to secure spots at oversubscribed secondary schools.

It also showed that every secondary school in the Drogheda area is oversubscribed, with the exception of one, which is classed as ‘fully subscribed’.

“It’s of enormous concern that Drogheda schools are oversubscribed. It’s a matter of major stress for parents and young people in Louth and East Meath,” said Deputy Munster.

“These shortages of school places are a result of poor planning and delays in providing school buildings by government.”

She says that with development under the Northern Environs Plan, zoning and planning for thousands of new housing units is underway. The population on the northside of Drogheda is going to dramatically increase and plans need to be in place for that.

“Students are being forced to travel far and wide to find an available school. Many parents and their children, who in some cases live within metres of their school, are not able to secure a school place for the next school year. Families and students in Louth and East Meath deserve better," she says.

“When schools are oversubscribed it follows that class sizes increase and we all know the detrimental impacts large class sizes can have on a child’s education, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN).

“Government must address this crisis immediately. Every child must have a school place come September.”