Ballyfermot parents have said that they are "worried sick" over their children being segregated later this year when three local secondary schools are set to combine.
It has been proposed by the Department of Education that St Dominic's, St Carita's and St John's secondary schools amalgamate into one building at St Seton's in Ballyfermot in September.
Funding for the new school building was approved in February 2021 by the Department of Education.
The local group Ballyfermot Parents United was set up by parent Lisa Marie Hughes and they are calling for a complete pause on the amalgamation of the three schools.
She previously told Dublin Live that parents are not opposed to the amalgamation of the three schools, but rather are concerned that the promised new building is not completed and that students will be segregated over three different campuses.
Lisa Marie said: "We don't oppose the amalgamation, we welcome it but what we don't want is for it to split between three campuses and for the children to be segregated."
"In 2019, we were told we would be getting a brand new state-of-the art extension at St John's with labs and classrooms but there was no proposal for a P.E. hall for over 800 students.
"And the canteen facilities is not adequate as well, it would mean 750 children directly affected and pouring onto the streets of Ballyfermot each day to get their lunches which would be a health and safety issue."
In a letter emailed to parents on January 26, the school stated that 1st year students will start at St Seton's on Le Fanu Road (St John's campus), while 2nd years will be based in Drumfin Road (Carita's College), 3rd and 6th years will remain at their current schools and 4th years will be based in Le Fanu Road but will also have classes at the other two campuses.
Meanwhile, another mum Liz said that she is very worried about her son starting first year.
She told Dublin Live: "My son is going into first year in September and I am worried sick about him starting at the St Seton's/St John's campus, because that building isn't finished and I don't know what is going to happen.
"If they are going to open in September like they're hoping, they should have builders work through the summer months to get the building finished. Our kids deserve better."
Ballyfermot Parents United are planning to hold a public meeting on Tuesday, 15 February in Ballyfermot Civic Centre from 7pm.
Dublin Live understands that on Tuesday of this week, parents were sent a letter by the trustees at St Seton's stating that they are seeking an extension to the planned reopening of the school, which was planned to open on September 1.
The letter seen by Dublin Live states that the trustees have met with the chairperson at the interim Board of Management at St Seton's as well as with the boards of management at the three schools.
The letter reads: "Le Cheile Trust and CEIST with Sarah Green have engaged with the Department of Education and have now reached an agreement to extend the timeline for reopening St Seton's Secondary School.
"This will allow for and facilitate greater planning, co-ordination, and opportunities to progress the amalgamation now that Covid restrictions are easing.
"While the existing current senior leadership teams, staff and Board of Managements will remain in place at Carita's College and St Dominic's College and St John's we are delighted that Sarah Green will remain as Principal at St Seton's and will lead the future development of the school."
A new reopening date has not yet been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education told Dublin Live: "The Department has been in engagement with the patrons in respect of the school accommodation and the patrons have indicated that the proposed arrangement is satisfactory pending the delivery of the new accommodation."
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