The Department of Education and Youth has sanctioned the opening of a second Junior Infants class at a primary school in Dunshaughlin to address pressure for school places in the Meath town.
The news comes in advance of a protest planned by parents outside the Dáil tomorrow morning.
The additional class will open in Dunshaughlin Community National School.
Parents say around 40 families are affected by the shortage, unable to secure a Junior Infants place in any of the town's three primary schools for this coming September.
The department said it was aware of the pressure for junior infant places in the town.
It said it has engaged with the primary schools in the town and has assessed admissions data.
"In response to an identified need the department has consulted with the patron of Dunshaughlin CNS and has sanctioned the opening of a second junior infant class at the school for 2026. Final arrangements are being put in place. Offers will be made in due course", a spokesperson said.
Earlier, parents said they had waited weeks requesting engagement from the Department of Education and Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton.
Announcing tomorrow’s protest, they said they had been "left in a state of limbo and dread and don’t know what is happening or where our kids are going in September".
The population of Dunshaughlin has grown significantly in recent years after a number of new estates, with new homes for young families, were built around the town.
A parent involved in organising tomorrow's protest said it would go ahead regardless.
She said parents who had children in a local naíonra wanted to send their children to the local Gaelscoil, which is currently oversubscribed.
A parent involved in organising tomorrow's protest said it would go ahead regardless.
She said parents who had children in a local naíonra wanted to send their children to the local Gaelscoil which is currently oversubscribed.
