Taoiseach eases woes for Greystones parents as school places found for final 20 students

The news will be hugely welcomed in the Taoiseach’s hometown, which has been battling to find school places for as many as 72 students since last year.

Speaking after the confirmation of the extra resources on Friday, May 10, the Wicklow Taoiseach said: “Greystones Community College has for too long lacked the adequate number of school places causing parents too much angst and stress. I have been intensively engaging with the Department of Education and the Minister to seek ways in which the shortage of school places doesn’t arise anymore.

“We need intensive action to be taken to alleviate the concern of parents now and into the future. I am really pleased to say the voices of so many families in Greystones have been heard loud and clear and I am taking steadfast action to answer the demand of the people of Greystones."

The news comes after the Taoiseach last month confirmed a letter of intent would soon be issued to Greystones Community College, confirming the long-awaited contract for the permanent building project at the school was being awarded. This will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school with accommodation, including four classrooms for children with special educational needs.

“With the Department I am continuing to work to advance the new school building project for Greystones Community College to enable the letter of acceptance be issued and get this building to construction as soon as possible,” the Taoiseach said.

“I have been assured that engagement will continue with KWETB to ensure that the school’s accommodation needs will continue to be met pending the completion of the new school, particularly in the context of increased enrolments.

“I want to reassure parents in Wicklow that the Department of Education will ensure that school places will be available for all children for September 2024 and into the future. As a public representative for Wicklow I will continue to work night and day and to push for additional school places in areas of demand like in Greystones and other Wicklow schools,” the Taoiseach concluded.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has also confirmed that the Department of Education is asking all patrons of local schools about how the admissions process for their schools could be improved for the 2025/26 first year intake.