Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2016
237. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for and progress in providing a multidenominational secondary school for the Terenure and Harold's Cross areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8830/16]
View answerMy Department completed demographic analyses at primary and post-primary level late last year, using the Department's Geographical Information System, to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from the Department's own databases. The outcome of these demographic analyses was that on 17 November 2015 I announced the establishment of 4 new primary schools and 9 new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018, including a new post-primary school which will open in September 2018 to serve the Dublin South City Centre area, which includes the areas to which the Deputy refers.
The patronage determination process for new schools is a separate process, which is run after it is decided that, based on the demographic data, a new school is required. Parental preferences are central to this process and prospective patrons are required to provide evidence of demand for their particular type of school. It is open to all patrons, patron bodies and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of a new school under this process.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have recently issued an invitation to all patron bodies and prospective school patron bodies to apply for the patronage of the nine new post primary schools including the school to serve Dublin South City Centre area. Details can be found on the Department of Education & Skills website at www.education.ie.
