Louth children being ‘squeezed into cupboards’ at school due to lack of space

Children are being “squeezed into spaces never intended for learning” at some schools in County Louth, the Dáil has heard.

Louth Fianna Fáil TD Erin McGreehan made the remarks during a recent ‘Questions on Policy or Legislation’ session.

Deputy McGreehan said: “I highlight and press an issue in County Louth, namely, the inadequate school accommodation across the entire county.

“In recent weeks, I have spoken to many principals and school communities in the county. Most recently, I met with St. Mochta's National School and Monksland National School.

“Their classes are being squeezed into spaces that were never intended for teaching children or learning.

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“These include converted rooms, cupboards, shared areas and halls, as well as temporary solutions that are just not fit for purpose in Ireland in 2026.”

She continued by saying that while there may be reduction in school enrolments elsewhere, that is not the case in Louth.

“The Department's responses reference an overall reduction to primary school enrolments. This is not helpful for County Louth.

“It is not what is happening in our county in areas such as Dundalk, Blackrock, Louth village, Cooley Peninsula, Ardee, Drogheda, Termonfeckin, Clogherhead and everywhere else.

“We are building in County Louth at unprecedented rates. Housing development is absolutely accelerating and we are not forward planning.”

She concluded by calling on the Department of Education to take action on schools in the county.

In response to Deputy McGreehan, Tánaiste Simon Harris thanked her for raising the point and compared it to the situation in his own constituency.

Deputy Harris continued: “Yes, I think it is a statement of fact to say the demographic situation in relation to primary schools might be changing.

“But it is not equal across all parts of the country because there are some parts of the country where the population is continuing to grow very quickly and a lot of that is on the east coast.

“The point raised by the Deputy in relation to County Louth is valid. We have to start to look at data on a much more granular basis in terms of counties but even parts of counties as well.”
He went on to highlight the steps the Department is taking to address such issues across the country.

“The Deputy will know the Minister has announced tranche one of the capital programme.

“What I would say to the Deputy's constituents and to those schools she has referenced is that it is not the final word, it is tranche one.”

The Tánaiste concluded by saying that the Government does intend to provide more funding to schools.

He reassured Deputy McGreehan that he would engage directly with her on the matter.