Squeeze on school places for pupils as Curraghmore NS freezes enrolment

The result of the enrolment freeze at Curraghmore NS will be felt in primary schools across Mullingar and beyond as parents vie for precious junior infant places for September 2020.

The decision was taken on the grounds of health and safety, and has been fully backed by school patron Bishop Tom Deenihan, and all Mullingar parish schools.

There was anger at a public meeting recently in the Mullingar Park Hotel, where it emerged that the work remaining at the Ardmore Road site could take three to six months to complete.

It was also claimed that some teachers could lose their jobs because of the decision to defer enrolment for 2020.

As a result of the delays at the new school campus, which has seen 11 completion dates come and go, the board of management at Curraghmore announced the decision to freeze enrolment on advice from their insurance company who warned in a letter that "an accident appears almost inevitable" because of the situation the school finds itself in, split across three campuses.

Frustrated parents plan to march to Westmeath County Council's offices on Monday February 10, during a meeting of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District to seek clarity on a completion date, and contingency plans.

Parents will to present letters, to elected representatives and the council executive, from various schools in Mullingar Parish showing the length of waiting lists for schools places this September.