105 enrolments for primary school not yet built

Parents arrived at 7am to enrol children in a proposed "Educate Together" primary school in Charlesland, Co Wicklow, at the weekend.

The project proposes to educate children of all faiths and none, with religious instruction focusing on a diverse range of religions.

No site has as yet been allocated for the school, although Wicklow County Council is in talks with a property developer on the provision of a five-acre site, which may also accommodate a Gaelscoil.

Educate Together spokeswoman Jessica Bird told The Irish Times that 105 enrolments were taken on Saturday.

While she called on the Department of Education to secure a site immediately, she said the group was hoping to operate from temporary premises in Charlesland or in Greystones, from September 2008.

Ms Bird said that she had been unable to book a place for her 2½-year-old son in any of the local schools, but added: "It is not a battle against the schools that are already there - there is a huge need for a new school."

Local councillor Derek Mitchell said the numbers of parents seeking places proved there was a demand for an Educate Together type of school.

Similar schools are in operation in Bray, Blessington and Wicklow town, he said.

Mr Mitchell said parents who had arrived at 7am were given tickets for when enrolments opened at 10.30am.

"By that time about 60 people were there," he said.

While the council has zoned land in the area for a school, none has been built. The Charlesland estate, built by property developers Seán Mulryan and

Seán Dunne, amounts to almost 1,500 new homes.

Mr Mitchell said: "A good permanent site is available in Charlesland but may not be available for a year."

He added that the site of five acres could accommodate one 32-classroom school or two 16-classroom schools, in which case it could facilitate the Gaelscoil and the Educate Together school.