At December’s Local Area Council Meeting, I tabled a motion calling once again for the development of a new Secondary School for Duleek. I am pleased that the
motion was adopted, and I want to take the opportunity to outline why this issue remains one of my core priorities for our community.
For many years now, Duleek and the wider Duleek–Bellewstown Parish has experienced significant population growth. Today, more than 5,000 people live in the
Parish, with large numbers of children attending several local primary schools. Between Duleek, Bellewstown, Donore, Mounthanover, Knockcommon, Julianstown and Cushinstown, there is a substantial and growing base of students who currently have no local Secondary School to progress to. This creates pressure on schools in surrounding areas and places huge logistical and financial burdens on families who must travel outside the Parish every day for education.
The case for a new secondary school in Duleek is very strong. With more than 700 pupils attending Duleek National Schools alone, the numbers speak for themselves. Demand will only increase in the years ahead, and it is essential that educational infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of our population. We are fortunate that Parish-owned land suitable for such a school is available close to the centre of Duleek. This means that, subject to Government approval, a school could be delivered efficiently and in a location that would serve the entire area well.
In my view, the next step must be a full reassessment by the Department of Education of the need for a secondary school in Duleek. Previous assessments have
not resulted in action, but circumstances have changed, growth has accelerated, and the pressure on local families has become even more obvious. I have raised these points repeatedly with the Department and will continue to do so.
I am encouraged that Meath County Council is supportive of my proposal. The Council’s Forward Planning Section has confirmed to me that they will schedule a meeting with the Department of Education as soon as possible. At this meeting, the Council will outline the scale of development taking place in Duleek, the ongoing residential growth, and the long-term planning implications for educational provision. Securing this engagement is an important step in ensuring that the Department understands the urgency of the situation.
While the final decision to deliver a Secondary School rests with the Department of Education and not the Council, I welcome the Council’s confirmation that adequate community zoning will be reserved to facilitate a school in the years ahead. This means that if the Department agrees to move forward, planning barriers will not stand in the way. Proper zoning is an essential part of long-term development, and it is reassuring to know that this groundwork is being put in place.
As someone with extensive experience in Education from my work as a Secondary School Teacher, I know how transformative local access to quality schooling can be. Education shapes the future of our young people and strengthens the social and economic fabric of our communities. Throughout my term as Councillor, one of my main focuses will be to secure the educational resources and facilities that our area needs and deserves.
A new Secondary School for Duleek would represent an enormous step forward – not just for children and their families, but for the community as a whole. It would support local identity, reduce daily travel pressures, and help ensure that young people can learn and thrive close to home. It would also bring clear social and economic benefits, supporting local services and creating a stronger, more vibrant Parish.
The case has been made for several years now, and I believe that we are at a point where renewed commitment and continued pressure can deliver results. I will keep advocating for this project at every opportunity — with the Minister for Education, with the Department, and within the Council. Our community needs this investment, and I am determined to keep pushing until it becomes a reality. I will continue to update residents as this work progresses, and I remain fully
committed to securing the facilities our young people need for the years ahead.