Tuesday, 31 Jan 2017

Gaelscoil Issues

Questions (165, 186, 190)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

165. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to establish all-Irish language primary schools in north Kildare; his further plans to increase capacity at existing all-Irish language schools in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3811/17]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

186. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is strategically managing the demand for Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcoláistí places for pupils in the academic year 2017-18; the method and/or strategy he is using in terms of enabling families to access places in the schools and areas of their choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4032/17]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he will provide equality of opportunity to the pupils of north Kildare, wherein it has been demonstrated year on year that there is a demand for increased capacity in both Gaelscoilleana and Gaelcoláistí; the way in which he will cater for the needs of these pupils in instances in which they are denied access to education through their chosen language of Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4038/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 186 and 190 together.

Three Gaelscoileanna, located in Kilcock, Leixlip and Naas, currently serve the North Kildare area at primary level. At post-primary level, as the Deputy will be aware, Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad. It was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established. In this regard, my Department will continue to work closely with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.

As you will appreciate, my Department's resources are prioritised to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area and that every child has access to a school place. In this context, my Department uses a 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 my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

When it is decided that a new school is required in an area, my Department runs a separate patronage process to decide who will operate the school. This patronage process incorporates consideration of, and the potential for, Irish-medium provision. It is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons, including patrons involved in Irish-medium provision and indeed any prospective patron which wishes to provide Irish-medium education, to apply for patronage of a new school under the patronage process. Parental preferences for each patron, together with the extent of diversity currently available in the area, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process. In this regard, as part of the application process, prospective patrons must submit completed parental preferences for their model of patronage and also parental preference for Irish-medium or English-medium provision.

Earlier this week, I announced my plans aimed at providing more multi-denominational and non-denominational schools across the country, in line with the choices of families and school communities. The new plans incorporate the provision of additional multi-denominational schools in either of the nation’s languages. Accordingly, in addition to the patronage process which I have outlined above, this provides additional opportunities for increasing the number of multi-denominational, Irish-medium schools available to parents nationwide.

Gaelcholáistí Issues

Questions (166, 183, 251)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to establish an all-Irish secondary school in north Kildare in view of the fact that the west Dublin option is over-subscribed, that there are seven sixth classes each year in north Kildare and that Dunboyne in County Meath and Edenderry in County Offaly are feeder schools; the reason it is necessary to again establish a demand for this school option in view of the fact that there has been an established pattern of students progressing to all-Irish language secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3812/17]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 9 April 2014, if he will consider the establishment of an independent Gaelchóláiste, in view of the fact that demand is consistently increasing year on year in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/17]

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Joan Burton

Question:

251. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 18 January 2017, if the enrolment to an institution (details supplied) for September 2017 will be the determining factor in demonstrating viability for the establishment of a Gaelcholáiste in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 183 and 251 together.

Maynooth Community College opened in 2014 with an Irish-medium Aonad. It was stated that should the Aonad demonstrate sufficient viability after four years from its date of establishment, a Gaelcholáiste would be established.

As part of the November 2015 announcement on the new primary and post-primary schools which will open in 2017 and 2018, and in view of the continued support for a Gaelcholáiste, it was confirmed that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to the continued viability of the Irish-medium Aonad at Maynooth Community College.

In this regard, my Department will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (167)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

167. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the provision of a permanent extension for a school (details supplied); when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3823/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The second phase of the building project referred to by the Deputy was authorised to proceed to tender in October 2016.

The Design Team has recently conducted the pre-qualification of suitable contractors and is currently finalising a shortlist of up to ten contractors who will be requested to tender for the project. Once the shortlist has been finalised tenders will issue for the construction of the new accommodation.

Subject to no issues arising it is anticipated that construction will commence in the summer of 2017 and the project will take approximately 18 months to complete.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (168)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

168. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will approve a new school building to progress to tender stage (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3836/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning-Stage 2(b), which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

The Design Team have been requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes.

Once the Stage 2b (Detailed Design) submission is received and reviewed by my Department and subject to no further issues arising my officials will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (169)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

169. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a permanent location for a school (details supplied) has been selected; if so, the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3860/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I wish to advise the Deputy that a permanent accommodation solution for the school to which he refers, has been identified. My Department will be in contact with the school authority in due course. However, due to the sensitivity of the position, my Department is unable to comment further at this time.

Student Data

Questions (170, 171, 172, 174, 176)

Imelda Munster

Question:

170. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the post-primary, first year student population by individual school in County Louth for the school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and for September to December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3913/17]

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Imelda Munster

Question:

171. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the post-primary, second year student population by individual school in County Louth for the school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and for September to December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3916/17]

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Imelda Munster

Question:

172. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the post-primary, first year student population by individual school in County Louth for the current academic year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3919/17]

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Imelda Munster

Question:

174. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the post-primary, second year student population by individual school in County Louth for the current academic year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3923/17]

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Imelda Munster

Question:

176. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total post-primary student population in County Louth for the current academic year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3927/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, 174 and 176 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the student enrolment data that she seeks for Co Louth on an individual school basis for schools years 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 are outlined in the following spreadsheet.

I would advise the Deputy that the student enrolment figures for 2016/17 are still only provisional and Officials in my Department advise me that these figures will be finalised in the coming weeks.

1st and 2nd and total mainstream nationally for 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017

Academic Year	Roll Number	Official School Name	Address 1	Address 2	Address 3	First Year Student Population	Second Year Student Population	Total Mainstream Population
2014/15	63840C	St. Joseph's C.B.S.	Newfoundwell Rd	Drogheda	Co Louth	136	151	653
2014/15	63841E	St Mary's Diocesan School	Beamore Road	Drogheda	Co. Louth	169	147	795
2014/15	63850F	Our Ladys College	Greenhills	Drogheda	Co Louth	163	176	965
2014/15	63860I	Sacred Heart Secondary School	Sunnyside	Drogheda	Co Louth	118	109	590
2014/15	63870L	Drogheda Grammar School	Mornington Rd	Drogheda	Co Louth	38	65	256
2014/15	63880O	Colaiste Rís	Sraid an tSéipéil	Dún Dealgan	Co Lú	106	114	571
2014/15	63890R	St Mary's College	Nicholas Street	Dundalk	Co Louth	132	140	662
2014/15	63891T	De La Salle College	Castleblaney Road	Dundalk	Co. Louth	136	142	766
2014/15	63900R	St Vincent's Secondary School	Seatown Place	Dundalk	Co. Louth	162	164	916
2014/15	63910U	St Louis Secondary School	Dun Lughaidh	Dundalk	Co Louth	77	102	548
2014/15	63920A	Dundalk Grammar School	The Crescent	Dundalk	Co Louth	90	103	547
2014/15	71750U	Bush Post Primary School	Riverstown	Dundalk	Co Louth	96	125	556
2014/15	71761C	St Oliver's Community College	Rathmullen Road	Drogheda	Co. Louth	222	255	1,272
2014/15	71770D	Ó Fiaich College	Dublin Road	Dundalk	Co. Louth	49	77	351
2014/15	71780G	Scoil Ui Mhuiri	Barn Road	Dunleer	Co. Louth	119	135	651
2014/15	76195U	Coláiste Chú Chulainn	Dundalk	Dundalk		95	23	118
2014/15	91441T	Ardee Community School	Ardee	Co Louth		130	124	698
2014/15	91573N	Ballymakenny College	Ballymakenny Road	Drogheda		63		63
2014/15 Total						2,101	2,152	10,978
2015/16	63840C	St. Joseph's C.B.S.	Newfoundwell Rd	Drogheda	Co Louth	136	138	673
2015/16	63841E	St Mary's Diocesan School	Beamore Road	Drogheda	Co. Louth	139	163	781
2015/16	63850F	Our Ladys College	Greenhills	Drogheda	Co Louth	173	162	956
2015/16	63860I	Sacred Heart Secondary School	Sunnyside	Drogheda	Co Louth	98	117	593
2015/16	63870L	Drogheda Grammar School	Mornington Rd	Drogheda	Co Louth	49	44	268
2015/16	63880O	Colaiste Rís	Sraid an tSéipéil	Dún Dealgan	Co Lú	105	101	588
2015/16	63890R	St Mary's College	Nicholas Street	Dundalk	Co Louth	126	133	701
2015/16	63891T	De La Salle College	Castleblaney Road	Dundalk	Co. Louth	122	133	741
2015/16	63900R	St Vincent's Secondary School	Seatown Place	Dundalk	Co. Louth	144	161	916
2015/16	63910U	St Louis Secondary School	Dun Lughaidh	Dundalk	Co Louth	104	80	560
2015/16	63920A	Dundalk Grammar School	The Crescent	Dundalk	Co Louth	89	93	551
2015/16	71750U	Bush Post Primary School	Riverstown	Dundalk	Co Louth	108	95	568
2015/16	71761C	St Oliver's Community College	Rathmullen Road	Drogheda	Co. Louth	230	224	1,266
2015/16	71770D	Ó Fiaich College	Dublin Road	Dundalk	Co. Louth	67	51	362
2015/16	71780G	Scoil Ui Mhuiri	Barn Road	Dunleer	Co. Louth	100	119	622
2015/16	76195U	Coláiste Chú Chulainn	Dundalk	Dundalk		96	92	210
2015/16	91441T	Ardee Community School	Ardee	Co Louth		134	132	715
2015/16	91573N	Ballymakenny College	Ballymakenny Road	Drogheda		113	69	182
2015/16 Total						2,133	2,107	11,253
2016/17	63840C	St. Joseph's C.B.S.	Newfoundwell Rd	Drogheda	Co Louth	158	133	727
2016/17	63841E	St Mary's Diocesan School	Beamore Road	Drogheda	Co. Louth	142	140	756
2016/17	63850F	Our Ladys College	Greenhills	Drogheda	Co Louth	178	175	954
2016/17	63860I	Sacred Heart Secondary School	Sunnyside	Drogheda	Co Louth	119	99	599
2016/17	63870L	Drogheda Grammar School	Mornington Rd	Drogheda	Co Louth	65	53	303
2016/17	63880O	Colaiste Rís	Sraid an tSéipéil	Dún Dealgan	Co Lú	128	106	611
2016/17	63890R	St Mary's College	Nicholas Street	Dundalk	Co Louth	139	126	703
2016/17	63891T	De La Salle College	Castleblaney Road	Dundalk	Co. Louth	126	121	738
2016/17	63900R	St Vincent's Secondary School	Seatown Place	Dundalk	Co. Louth	151	147	917
2016/17	63910U	St Louis Secondary School	Dun Lughaidh	Dundalk	Co Louth	82	110	550
2016/17	63920A	Dundalk Grammar School	The Crescent	Dundalk	Co Louth	89	98	560
2016/17	71750U	Bush Post Primary School	Riverstown	Dundalk	Co Louth	117	105	575
2016/17	71761C	St Oliver's Community College	Rathmullen Road	Drogheda	Co. Louth	247	229	1,292
2016/17	71770D	Ó Fiaich College	Dublin Road	Dundalk	Co. Louth	44	72	348
2016/17	71780G	Scoil Ui Mhuiri	Barn Road	Dunleer	Co. Louth	100	103	597
2016/17	76195U	Coláiste Chú Chulainn	Dundalk	Dundalk		78	96	287
2016/17	91441T	Ardee Community School	Ardee	Co Louth		149	134	738
2016/17	91573N	Ballymakenny College	Ballymakenny Road	Drogheda		119	120	311
2016/17	Total					2,231	2,167	11,566

Student Data

Questions (173, 175, 177, 178)

Imelda Munster

Question:

173. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total post-primary, first year student population for the current academic year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3921/17]

View answer

Imelda Munster

Question:

175. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total post-primary, second year student population for the current academic year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3925/17]

View answer

Imelda Munster

Question:

177. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total post-primary student population for the current academic year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3929/17]

View answer

Imelda Munster

Question:

178. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total post-primary student population for the school years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3931/17]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173, 175, 177 and 178 together.

The post primary student data in the following spreadsheet gives details of national student enrolment figures for schools years 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17.

I wish to advised the Deputy that the enrolment figures for 2016/17 are still only provisional. The officials in my Department advise that these will be finalised in the coming weeks. The spreadsheet includes student date as follows;

- National enrolment figures for first year students

- National enrolment figures for second year students and

- Overall student enrolment figures for mainstream students only.

1st and 2nd and total mainstream nationally for 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017

Academic Year	First Year Student Population	Second Year Student Population	Total Mainstream Population
2014/15	62,527	61,229	339,199
2015/16	63,451	62,975	345,544
2016/17	65,047	64,103	352,247

Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 170.

Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 173.

Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 170.

Questions Nos. 177 and 178 answered with Question No. 173.