The Government has to deal with the crisis relating to school places in Fingal East. What is happening is very serious. I have a 13-year-old boy who is non-verbal and who has ASD. He is meant to be starting first year. His mother is a single parent and she will be forced to give up her job if she cannot get a place for him in September. In Loreto College Swords, 16 have been left without places for transition year. Their parents are at their wits' end. This is causing serious upset and anxiety for the girls in question. In Portmarnock, there is a serious shortage of school places, particularly in St. Marnock’s primary school. Hundreds of houses have been built, which is welcome, but the number of school places does not match the demand that exists. There is an urgent need for expansion of capacity in the school. The Minister sent a standard reply to parents which stated that the demand for primary school places has reduced in recent years and is projected to continue to reduce, but this is not true. The Department indicated that it reviewed demand based on child benefit statements in 2025, but that is clearly not the case because the evidence needed would be there in black and white. We need to do something serious, particularly in light of the growth happening in the area.

Sentiment score: -0.07