Crisis looms over lack of school places in Kilkenny city

By SHANE DORAN

PARENTS in Kilkenny are getting increasingly concerned about the lack of secondary school places in the city, according to a local TD.

Deputy Kathleen Funchion raised local parents’ concerns when she tackled Education Minister Joe McHugh on the issue in the Dáil yesterday.

And the Kilkenny TD urged the minister to give a commitment to keep the planning of secondary schools in the constituency “under review”, particularly in the eastern part of the city.

Deputy Funchion said afterwards: “Every year there is an issue of over spill from Kilkenny city to external surrounding areas. At the moment in the eastern part of Kilkenny city most schools are fully subscribed and waiting lists are long.

“Another issue is that many children in this part of the constituency attend Educate Together primary level only to be told that there is no option for them to continue at secondary level under that ethos.

“These children should be afforded that opportunity to continue their education in an Educate Together school.”

The Sinn Féin TD said there is “a rapidly changing demographic” in Kilkenny that needs to be addressed.

Deputy Funchion added: “The population is growing and any new housing will require matching infrastructure. The provision of schools is key in all this with proper and timely planning.”