Sir, – The majority of the secondary schools to be built in Dublin by the Department of Education seem to be in low-density, high-income areas. Meanwhile, a high-density, disadvantaged area, Inchicore, has no secondary schools that admit boys and only one secondary school for girls. This leads to the majority of students of both sexes leaving the area for secondary school, often involving long commutes and multiple buses.
These students are also often disadvantaged in terms of being admitted to other secondary schools – especially schools in wealthier suburbs like the schools announced this week – because they are not in the catchment area.
A mixed school in Inchicore would both address this demonstrable need and another striking inequality that has been recently noted: the lack of playing pitches in Dublin 8. – Yours, etc,
GRAHAM FINLAY,
Inchicore,
Dublin 8.