There is "considerable evidence" of so-called "white flight" from parts of north Dublin and urgent action is needed to prevent social segregation there, according to a Government-funded study to be published today.
The first major report on primary schooling in Dublin 15, the fastest-growing area in Dublin and one of the country's most ethnically diverse, found that in some places there is already evidence of the emergence of "ghettos" inhabited only by ethnic minorities.
It points to a lack of official planning and warns that immediate action from Government and local authorities will be needed to avert the type of chronic problems found in other European cities.
By tracking pupils' movements over a number of years, the report found "quite a serious and significant trend of Irish moving out and immigrants moving in". Of 1,414 pupils leaving school in 2005-06, for instance, 518 left before reaching sixth class. "This figure is equivalent to an astonishing 58 per cent of those transferring to postprimary schools," the authors write.
Reflecting the same pattern, one in four new entrants to these schools in 2006-07 started in classes higher than junior infants. Significantly, a breakdown of the data shows that, of those who left in the period 2003-07, 47 per cent were described as "Irish" and 53 per cent as "non-Irish" (defined as those whose parents were born outside the country). But of those who joined, only 21 per cent were categorised as "Irish" and 79 per cent "non-Irish".
The report blames housing policies and the dynamics of the property market. Rapid development of new private housing in this part of north Dublin has led to a proliferation of rented homes, it points out.
In some parts of Dublin 15, there is already evidence of the emergence of "ghettos", where parts of housing estates are filled exclusively with minority ethnic groups. This suggests a need for "greater co-ordination of planning at local authority level to avoid the emergence of banlieues and to prevent 'white flight'".
"Proactive initiatives now remain the most optimistic approach to avoid the emergence of the kind of polarisation evident elsewhere, while an adequate proactive response will necessitate a degree of strategic planning that until now has proved unattainable." The report notes that teachers report high motivation among many newcomer children, who often serve as good role models to Irish pupils. However, it also contends that racism is becoming more evident and suggests that anti-racism measures require attention.
According to last year's census, Dublin 15's 12 electoral divisions have a population of 90,974, an increase of 26.9 per cent since 2002, compared with a national population increase of 8.2 per cent.
The area, which includes Blanchardstown, Mulhuddart, Tyrrelstown, Abbotstown and The Ward, is also significantly younger and more diverse than the rest of the country. Some 29 per cent of its people are aged 18 or younger, compared with 21 per cent nationally. And according to the 2006 census, 73 per cent are reported as "white Irish" with 27 per cent in other categories.
The study, which was funded by the Department of Education and Science, was carried out by Enda McGorman, principal of Mary, Mother of Hope National School in the district, and Ciarán Sugrue, director of postgraduate studies in education at St Patrick's College.
Among its recommendations is the drafting of a Green Paper on immigration, more systematic data-gathering and better tracking of schoolchildren with the use of PPS numbers.
Some 25 schools took part in the study. Its findings are based on new and existing data, as well as interviews and focus group sessions with teachers, parents, pupils, home school community liaison teachers and social service providers.
