Tallaght school faces closure amid funding crisis

A school in Tallaght is facing closure in just two weeks unless the Department of Education steps in with emergency funding, leaving 230 students and their families in turmoil.

The Sacred Heart Junior School in Killinarden has warned parents that it will have no choice but to close its doors and shift to remote learning from April 1 unless urgent financial support is provided.

In a letter sent to parents (letter available here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nhs361yjBiLC5cPe9) following a Board of Management meeting, the school outlined its dire financial situation, stating that it “no longer has money to pay basic bills.”

The crisis has been brewing for some time.

The school has suffered from what it describes as “massive underfunding” for years, with capitation grants failing to cover the rising costs of running the school.

The current capitation funding stands at just €40,000—only half of what is needed to keep the school operational.

Back in October 2024, the school flagged a €26,000 shortfall to the Department of Education, but the situation has worsened since then.

Faced with financial constraints, Sacred Heart JNS has already been forced to make cutbacks.

Despite these measures, the school is still struggling to make ends meet.

At an emergency meeting last Friday, local representatives, including local Sinn Fein Cllr Louise Dunne, were briefed on the crisis.

Cllr Dunne condemned the situation, stating that such a predicament is “unacceptable in a country as wealthy as Ireland. Our children are being let down, and urgent action is needed.”

Her party colleague, Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe, also voiced his outrage, calling it “simply outrageous” that a school is on the brink of closure due to inadequate funding.

“This government has proven incapable of managing public services.

“From our schools to our hospitals to our public transport, workers and families are facing crisis after crisis,” he said.

Deputy Crowe has written to the Minister for Education demanding immediate intervention, arguing that anything less would be “unacceptable to the pupils, their parents, and their teachers.”

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy also met with school representatives and parents, describing the situation as a direct result of the government’s “misplaced priorities.”

“They are talking about tripling military spending yet refuse to provide schools with enough funding to keep the lights on and the doors open,” he said.

“We need emergency action from the Minister now.”

The crisis isn’t limited to the junior school.

There are fears that Sacred Heart Senior National School may also be forced to close by September if additional funding is not secured.

The two-school campus requires at least double its current funding allocation to remain operational.

Aontú Tallaght representative Saoirse Ní Chonaráin also expressed shock and frustration at the government’s handling of the situation.

“Parents are frantic. There is huge pressure on school places as it is.

“I simply cannot believe it has been allowed to go this far,” she said.

The school community is now calling on the government to act immediately by doubling capitation funding and ensuring that Sacred Heart Junior and Senior Schools remain open.

With just two weeks left before the funding runs out, all eyes are on the Department of Education to see if they will intervene before it’s too late.