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School Enrolments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004

Thursday, 25 November 2004

Questions (47)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

47 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the fact that, due to pressure to obtain a place in primary schools, pregnant mothers are enrolling their unborn babies in primary schools; her further views on whether planning for educational services is inadequate; if the census and population trends are taken into account when planning for schools infrastructure projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30506/04]

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Written answers

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, statistical information available from the most recent census, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of any existing schools to meet the demand for school places.

As part of the process, the Minister for Education and Science is included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development plans or proposed variations to development plans. My Department monitors these plans and meets with local authorities as required to establish the location, scale and pace of housing developments and their possible impact on school provision.

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 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 school capacity where necessary. Consultation with the existing schools plays an important part of this process also, as the management authorities of schools would alert my Department where in their view the need for additional accommodation is anticipated.

In addition, arrangements are in place for officials from my Department's school planning section to meet with each local authority to discuss development proposals and site requirements for new schools. My Department is currently concentrating on the areas of major development and population growth with a view to identifying where the most urgent need for new or additional educational facilities exists or is likely to arise in the future.

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