Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
572 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will outline the work of the Dublin Schools Planning Committee; the proposals which have emanated from this committee in relation to future educational facilities and needs in the Dublin 24 area, as a result of forthcoming planning developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22533/04]
View answerThe school planning section works closely with the four local authorities in the Dublin region in monitoring demographic changes and assessing the likely impact of planned new developments. A dedicated forum, the Dublin School Planning Committee, chaired by the school planning section of my Department, interacts with the Dublin local authorities. This forum comprises representatives of the local authorities in Dublin and representatives of the patron bodies of primary schools. It meets twice a year.
The Dublin School Planning Committee acts as an initial point of contact where the local authorities can signal to my Department and the patron bodies anticipated demand for school provision. Detailed discussions regarding reservation of sites, scale and timeframe for developments take place at this forum.
Arising from these processes, sites for primary school purposes have been reserved at Fortunestown and Ballycullen. A decision on the provision of new schools in these areas will involve further consultations with the local authority regarding the rate and likely timescale of housing developments, together with an ongoing assessment of the capacity of existing schools in the area to meet the anticipated demand.
