Temple Carrig’s Very Long Engagement With Department Of Education

Those cunning, stunning, stunted school extension plans…

atest press release from Temple Carrig School BOM, issued on Wednesday, December 10th 2025…

The Board of Management of Temple Carrig School has carried out a review of enrolment numbers with effect from next year’s admissions process for admission to first year in 2027.

Due to the huge pressure for second level places in the area, the school agreed in 2021 to a Department of Education request to increase from 750 students to 1,000 students as well agreeing to open a double ASD unit.

We implemented this decision immediately and increased our intake in the following years to an overall enrolment of 950 students at its peak and a successful ASD unit.

Our willingness to expand the school was based on a clear expectation that a promised extension would be delivered to meet increased numbers.

Now, nearly 5 years after we increased our intake we are no nearer getting an extension. We’re not even in the planning process and there is no certainty about when or indeed if the additional facilities will be provided.

While some temporary Portacabins class rooms have been provided (eventually), the core facilities are still unchanged and based on a school with 200 less pupils- we are currently at just under 940 pupils.

I remember when all this was just fields…

This is having adverse impacts on education and learning as well as carrying health and safety implications for our students and staff.

Accordingly the BOM has decided to reduce our enrolment numbers to more sustainable levels appropriate to our built capacity. For the next enrolment process (for admission to first year in 2027) this is likely to involve a reduction of up to 24 places per annum.

The Board of Management regret having to take this decision but believe it is necessary in light of existing pressure on facilities at the school and are keen to provide as much notice as possible of this change.

The progress of our extension and our expansion to a 1,000 pupil school rests with the Minister for Education. We can do no more to expedite the progress of our extension which is stuck within the Department of Education.

The Board regret having to make this decision but believe it is an appropriate response to the serious capacity challenges we face.

Garrett Fennell and Deborah Crean: Chairperson Principal and Secretary to the Board Of Management.