Vol. 565 No. 2
22 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has information available on the number of unutilised school places at primary and post-primary level; if his Department has given thought to the utilisation of such unused space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10299/03]
In order to ensure the long-term planning of capital provision through a precise and detailed identification of accommodation needs in schools, my Department has undertaken, on a pilot basis, a comprehensive inventory of accommodation of 115 primary and post-primary schools in County Kildare. This project has the potential to be a key tool in how we establish any spare capacity in the system. The information gained in the survey has been placed on a geographic information system, GIS, database. My Department is at present undertaking a detailed assessment of the pilot phase of the inventory to determine the exact nature and extent of the nationwide survey, having regard to available resources. The information gathered from the pilot project, and the completed project, when available, will enable the Department to identify schools with a surplus or deficit of accommodation and thus assist in the long-term planning for educational provision in any particular location.
As a matter of course, the issue of unutilised school places is also considered when applications for additional accommodation are being assessed. Determining the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration by my Department of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Where feasible, the utilisation of any excess capacity at existing schools in an area is considered as a possible solution. However, given the growing demand for diversity and plurality within the education system, it is rarely the case that available places match that growing demand for diversity of school ethos. Often, it is our response to the demand for diversity of provision that actually creates the spare capacity in a school of a different management type and ethos. There is clearly a tension here between facilitating parents choice while at the same time creating some spare capacity in other schools. Another factor to be considered is that the areas where the greatest spare capacity is identified tend to be those with an ageing population and not in the areas where additional need is emerging as a result of population increase.
The utilisation of school places has also been specifically considered by the Commission on School Accommodation in its area studies and this information has been used subsequently by my Department when considering individual cases in the relevant areas.
