17 new schools to open as pupil numbers soar

SOARING pupil numbers will see the opening of 14 new second-level schools in 2013 and 2014, on top of three already announced, writes Katherine Donnelly.

Most of the schools will be built in the Dublin commuter belt that includes Louth, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford.

The Department of Education yesterday announced the location of four new schools to open in 2013: Lusk, Co Dublin; Claregalway, Co Galway; Naas, Co Kildare; and Navan, Co Meath.

In 2014 schools in the Carrigaline/south suburbs area of Cork city; Blanchardstown West, Mulhuddart, Balbriggan and Dundrum, Co Dublin; Maynooth, Co Kildare; Drogheda and Dundalk, Co Louth; Ashbourne, Co Meath; and Greystones, Co Wicklow, will open. These are in addition to schools already announced for Gorey, Co Wexford; Doughiska, Co Galway; and Lucan/Clonburris, Co Dublin.

The schools in Balbriggan, Cork city, and Dundrum have been designated by the department as all-Irish Gaelcholaisti, although their patronage has yet to be decided.

Enrolments are set to rise by over 100,000 across all school sectors by 2017-18.

Irish Independent