The growing popularity of fee-paying schools among parents on Dublin's southside has caused enrolments at several State-funded schools in the area to fall dramatically, new figures reveal. Emmet Oliver and Sean Flynn, Education Staff, report
The surge in demand for places in fee-paying schools has been caused in part by the abolition of fees at third level. This has left parents better able to afford school fees, according to principals in the area.
Enrolment figures at several prominent non fee-paying schools on the southside have fallen sharply since the early 1990s.
For example, there were 622 pupils at the Dominican College, Sion Hill, Blackrock, in the early 1990s, but enrolment has tumbled to about 350. Pupil numbers at Oatlands College, Mount Merrion; Marian College Ballsbridge; and St Mary's Secondary School, Ballsbridge, have also been reduced significantly.
The generally buoyant economic conditions of the 1990s made fee-paying schools more affordable for many families. However, the current downturn and the possibility of third-level fees returning may halt the further growth of fee-paying schools, some principals believe.
While the decline in the youth population in the south Dublin area is regarded as an important factor behind the figures, many fee-paying schools have seen their numbers rise during the 1990s, despite the demographic shifts.
For example, the fee-paying Loreto Foxrock had 423 pupils in the early 1990s, but this has risen to about 600 today. Enrolments at St Andrew's in Booterstown rose from about 700 in 1990 to almost 900 in 2000.
However, many of the non-fee-paying schools believe the surge in the numbers attending primary school at the present time could assist them. "We believe we have turned a corner in terms of numbers," said Mr Michael Madigan, principal of Oatlands College.
Mr Paul Meany, principal of Marian College, said there were always parents looking for non-fee-paying schools and this would not end. He said that, while some non- fee-paying schools had experienced a fall-off in numbers, there was a danger of exaggerating the situation.
Mr George O'Callaghan, head of the Joint Managerial Body which represents several fee-paying and non fee-paying schools, said the more choice there was for parents the better.
He said south Dublin was in a unique position because it had such a high concentration of fee-paying schools in a relatively small area. He said competition was intense, but there was no danger of any schools closing as a result.
The enrolment figures are the most up-to-date statistics available. They are compiled each year by the Department of Education from returns submitted by schools.