Taoiseach To Consider Calls For Improvement At Borrisoleigh School

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A plea for improved facilities and extra staffing at Scoil Naomh Cualán in Borrisoleigh is to be considered by the Taoiseach.

The matter was raised in the Dáil today by Tipperary, Jackie Cahill. The TD is concerned at the slow pace of engagement between the Dept. of Education and the school.

An Additional Accommodation Scheme application is being processed for the school but the local TD believes that this needs to be approved much faster than the current timelines indicated by the Department of Education.

Concerns are being raised about class sizes, pupil-teacher ratios and space in the school building which has 7 teachers for mainstream classrooms, meaning that one classroom must be doubled up.

There are currently 15 students in 6th class, which is the smallest class at present – in the coming year there will be one classroom with one teacher containing upwards of 35 or 37 students unless an additional teacher is allocated.

The largest current classroom is 60m2, whereas the norm is 80m2,  exacerbating the overcrowding problem.

In addition, the school is facing increasing enrolment numbers and urgently needs a new classroom according to Deputy Cahill.