Civil servant asked a Kildare politician how he got her number

Concerns over pressure on school places in County Kildare has led to calls for a meeting with the Department of Education.

It came from Cllr Aidan Farrelly (now a TD), who asked for the meeting so that councillors would be briefed on “detailed plans for new schools and expansions in County Kildare.”

“Every year, a cohort of families in Kildare are left in limbo in terms of being offered an appropriate place in their local primary or secondary school. I would like the opportunity to meet representatives from the d to hear about their plans to develop new and existing schools in Kildare,” he said.

He added: “We know there’s something wrong when families have to be concerned about whether their child will have a school place in their local community. Or are offered a school place on opposite sides of the county to where they live. 

“Nor is it acceptable that any student or teacher should spend their school day in prefabs.”

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He also said private schools should not be considered as local capacity in schools capacity statements with regard to planning applications.

He said forward planning is necessary to ensure that sufficient places are available.

Cathaoirleach (and now TD) Joe Neville said when he contacted a Department of Education civil servant she wanted to know where he got her number.

“This is the mindset we have to deal with trying to get through," added Cllr Neville.

Cllr Pádraig McEvoy said projects are being delayed and some a decade behind. He also commented that prefab buildings are everywhere.

KCC is to seek a meeting with the department.