As the Deputy will be aware, there are 13 primary schools serving the Swords school planning area. My Department has been in direct contact with a number of these schools in respect of their junior infant capacity. In that regard it is understood that at least one primary school is undersubscribed and has expressed a willingness to enroll further junior infants in September 2017, if necessary. The school enrolment position for September 2017 will be clarified when the schools concerned have completed their enrolment process in the coming weeks. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in school planning areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense of another school.
While it is recognised that the schools in the Swords area are close to capacity, current enrolment trends indicate that there should be sufficient capacity in the existing schools for 2017.
My Department is monitoring the enrolment position in the Swords area closely. While the situation may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that the existing schools in the area can, between them, cater for the demand for junior infant places in September 2017.
My Department is currently in the process of completing demographic analyses nationwide which includes the Swords area. This process is detailed and rigorous and will take some time to complete. It is anticipated that provisional results of these analyses will be available for review in the coming months.
