Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 April 2014
52. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons behind the relocation of a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that there is a falling demand for primary school places across Ballyogan since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18111/14]
View answer53. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the feeder area that a school (details supplied) will serve; the extent to which the location of this school will meet his Department's commitment to sustainable development in line with his Department's technical policy on site selection of safe access for all and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport's smarter travel programme which pledges that schools would be accessible primarily by walking, cycling and public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18112/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
The primary school in question has been established to provide additional capacity for the wider Ballinteer/ Stepaside area. There is an Irish language school already located in that area. The question of location for the new Irish language school was, therefore, considered in the context of providing access to both Irish language schools to the greatest number of pupils across the area. In relation to demographics, over an 8 year period, the junior infant intake into schools in the area increased from 83 pupils to a current enrolment of 239 pupils. The primary school specifically within the Ballyogan area itself has seen a growth in its enrolments from 103 pupils in 2008 to 350 pupils in the current school year.
The Department is satisfied that the site location for the school in question is consistent with its published technical guidance documents on the identification and suitability assessment of sites for primary and post-primary schools, which sets out the criteria to be used in assessing potential school sites and includes criteria relating to safe access, traffic management and mobility. The Deputy is probably aware that An Bord Pleanála recently granted Planning Permission for the development of the school. The issues raised by Deputy were examined during the Appeal process.
