Shortage of school places in Offaly highlighted

Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly, Barry Cowen, has written to the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to highlight the difficulties that parents in Offaly are experiencing when trying to secure school places for their children starting primary and secondary education.

Deputy Cowen said, "I have been made aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of schools across Offaly recently.

"We simply can't have a situation whereby parents are struggling to secure places in local schools meaning they have to travel long distances every day. ''

Deputy Cowen recently highlighted this issue with the Minister for Education and in response, Minister Foley said, "My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities.

"In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including patrons of schools in Co. Offaly, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

"Aside from the obligation outlined above, the question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school Patron, and my Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters."