Kildare parents among highest in the State appealing school admission refusals
High number of Section 29 appeals in Kildare 'reveals chronic under-resourcing in the county' – Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh TD
Kildare parents number among the highest in the State appealing school admission refusals and seeking intervention from the Department of Education to secure school places where schools are oversubscribed.
New figures released by the Department of Education show that Kildare has the second highest number of Section 29 appeals in the State, after Dublin.
The Section 29 appeals mechanism is available to parents whose children have been refused admission to their preferred school. Under the process, the Department of Education is required to review the case and determine whether the refusal should stand or whether an additional school place should be granted.
Responding to the figures, Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South, Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh TD, said:
“I am not surprised by the figures released by the Department in response to my Parliamentary Question on Section 29 appeals. 17 appeals were made this year alone, with a total of 233 since 2021 onwards.
“Kildare is one of the fastest-growing counties in the State, with housing developments continuing right across the constituency. We are proud to welcome new families putting down roots in our communities, but essential public services — including school places — are simply not keeping pace with population growth.
“Schools in Kildare Town are already at capacity. I know that one school currently has a waiting list for every class, with some year groups oversubscribed by as many as 32 places.”
Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said the problem is “indicative of chronic under-resourcing across the county”, and a failure by Government to plan adequately for growing communities.
She said she has been engaging with many families affected by the issue who are distressed and struggling to manage school runs because suitable local schools are unavailable.
She added: “One family, settled in Kildare Town recently, has been unable to secure local school places for both of their children despite actively seeking enrolment in nearby schools. At present, one child has secured a local place, while the other must travel to Clane each day. This places a huge burden on the family.
“The situation is made even more difficult by the fact that the family does not own a car and must rely entirely on public transport and walking. Every morning, the mother leaves home early with all three children, including a one-year-old baby, to complete the school journey. She is then left waiting in the area for hours before collection time.
“This is exhausting, unsustainable, and completely unacceptable when there are schools within walking distance of the family home.”
Deputy Ní Raghallaigh called on the government to “step up and deliver the school capacity that families in Kildare South urgently need.”