Kildare pupils forced outside their own town 'because school is full'

Pupils living in the catchment of their local school in Sallins are being forced to take places in primary schools in Caragh, Rathmore and Naas - because the St Laurence's National School is full up.

The Department of Education has come under fire because it is apparently unwilling to buy land adjacent to the school for a much needed extension.

"I find it strange that the school is full to the eyeballs and there is a field beside it,” Cllr Bill Clear stated.

He also said, at a Naas Municipal District meeting, that Sallins, a town with a population of 7,500, has one primary school - while Thurles, by comparison, has a similar population and five national schools.

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He also pointed out that the diversion of children to other schools is creating more traffic.

Cllr Carmel Kelly said the Department of Education is aware of the issue, according to the schools board of management.

Cllr Kelly claimed that the department favours a new school.

In the meantime, she said pupils are being sent to other schools in the catchment.

Cllr Kelly said that a “full class” had been effectively turned away from the school.

Cllr Kelly also said that the school had not notified the department that it’s oversubscribed.

Cllr Seamie Moore said the department had no interest in the land adjacent to the school even though it’s zoned for education use.

Kildare County Council official Eoghan Ryan said the land is zoned for community use.

The school did not respond to a request for comment.