Over 130 students have been refused entry to Calasanctius College in Oranmore for the beginning of the new term in September, according to a local Senator.

Ten of these students have appealed the decision and should learn over the coming weeks whether their appeals have been successful.

The issue of student entry is two-fold, according to the Senator, who said there is a national and a local issue.

Calasanctius College was hoping to receive funding to construct a state of the art extension from last month's €579 million Schools Building Programme announced by the Government. However, it was not one of the schools chosen, although it had applied for funding for the extension three years ago.

The school also changed it rules for entry requirements during the year, which, Senator Healy Eames said many parents were not aware of.

Senator Healy Eames revealed that in her discussions with the Department of Education, Calasanctius College is rated only 2.5 on the priority list and would need to be rated 1.0 to stand a reasonable chance of funding for the extension.

She also revealed that when a delegation consisting of school senior management met with Department of Education and Science officials on 22 February, the plans and costing outlined to the Department were for a permanent facility only.

Senator Healy Eames confirmed that in personal discussions with the Department, no date has been given on when the Department will get back to the school with a reply. She accused them of stalling on implementing reports already carried out.

"I can understand how they needed some time to look at the information given how big the case is.

"The commission of School Accommodation Report (a report done for the Department) has not been acted on, a report which has stated that Calasanctius should have an 800 capacity rather than the current 625 pupil school," she explained.

However, the Senator said the issue of children not getting placed in the school is not wholly the fault of the Department. She said the school had to take some responsibility for changing its policy of entry.

"The policy was changed without due notification to all parents and all local primary schools here. Only some of the primary schools knew. The ones that didn't know are the ones where the kids, who are 'category one', haven't got their places.

"There are 18 children that were formally in category two, moved into category one. There are siblings of kids that live outside of the feeder schools and they have got a place," she explained.

Senator Healy Eames confirmed a meeting of concerned parents from Oranmore, Carnmore and Clarenbridge will be held before the end of the month.

A spokesperson for Calasanctius College declined to comment.

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