Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
206 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science the rate at which he expects demand for places in primary schools in Dublin to increase over the next five years; and the plans he has to meet this demand. [13490/04]
View answerWhen assessing the need for additional pupil places my Department examines the needs of individual areas rather than regions due to the huge disparities that occur in a large urban area such as Dublin, where individual areas such as Lucan and Dublin 15 are experiencing increased demand for additional primary school places while other areas are experiencing a sharp decline in enrolments.
The process of assessing 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. My Department is at present concentrating on the areas of major development and population growth with a view to identifying where the most urgent need for new or additional facilities exists or is likely to arise in the future. As part of this process, officials of the school planning section consult regularly with local authorities regarding development proposals and their implications.
In addition, standing arrangements are in place for officials of my Department's planning and building unit to meet on a regular basis with officials of the four Dublin local authorities to discuss development proposals and consequent site requirements for new schools. Liaison with existing schools is also an important part of the process as the school authorities would usually alert my Department where in their view the need for additional accommodation is anticipated.
In the event that the level of development and population growth in an area indicates a likely long-term need for primary or post-primary educational provision, a decision is made on the means by which that need should be met. Generally, this involves the provision of permanent accommodation in the form of a new school or an extension to existing facilities. High-quality temporary or prefabricated accommodation is normally provided to alleviate short-term accommodation needs. Where appropriate, the local authority may be requested to reserve a site for educational purposes. In this way, every effort is made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision, or that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity where necessary.
