Written Answers Nos. 111-120
111. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the delivery of school provision in the Meakstown, Charlestown and Lanesborough area in Fingal, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21007/19]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. For school planning purposes Meakstown, Charlestown and Lanesborough are located in the Finglas East_Ballymun_Dublin 11 school planning area.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development, including additional residential developments arising from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF).
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next 4 years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
In addition to the new schools announced, there may be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future which can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.
While the announcement did not include a new school for the Finglas East_Ballymun_Dublin 11 school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
112. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 obliging religious schools to develop meaningful opt-out policies are expected to be implemented; and the steps he is taking to ensure that this is in place in time for the 2019-20 school year. [21011/19]
View answerMy Department has begun the process of consultation with the Partners in relation to the preparation of regulations that are required alongside commencement of the remaining sections of the act. This consultation is ongoing.
113. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 9 April 2019, his plans to address the health and safety issues at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/19]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under my Departments Emergency Works Scheme to carry out roof works to the school building. The works were deemed to be outside the scope of the scheme and the application was refused in that context.
The school authority subsequently submitted an appeal to my Departments Planning and Building Unit for consideration. Additional information has been requested from the school in respect of this appeal. When this information is submitted a final decision will issue directly to the school authority.
114. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new second level school for Kinnegad, County Westmeath; and the timeframe for delivery of same. [21064/19]
View answer115. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the research and analysis carried out regarding proposals to establish a second level school in Kinnegad, County Westmeath, since 2004 (details supplied); and the basis on which decisions not to proceed have been made. [21065/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
My Department's means of analysing demographic trends and data have changed considerably since the report to which the Deputy refers was completed in 2005.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018 the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future.
While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school in Kinnegad (which is located in the Killucan school planning area), I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
116. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a special needs school will be considered for an area (details supplied). [21070/19]
View answer117. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if more ASD units will be allocated for County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21071/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), an independent agency of my Department, is responsible for planning, coordinating and advising on education provision for children with special educational needs.
The Council ensures that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class and school placements.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has formally advised me that there is insufficient ASD post primary special class capacity in Kildare.
The NCSE is actively engaging with patron bodies in Kildare for the purpose of providing the required placements from September.
The NCSE is also engaging directly with the Parents of the children concerned and will keep in regular contact with them to advise of progress and identify placements as they become available.
Since 2011, the number of special classes in mainstream schools has increased from 548 to 1,459 this year. Of these 1,196 special classes cater for students diagnosed with ASD.
Provision in special schools has increased from 6,848 placements in 2011 to 7,872 this year.
When the NCSE sanction a special class in a school, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to re-configure existing spaces within the school building to accommodate the class and/or to construct additional accommodation.
Similarly, where special schools wish to expand provision, the school can apply to my Department for capital funding to accommodate additional placements.
As the Deputy's question relates to special school placements in a specific area, I have forwarded it to the National Council for Special Education for direct reply.
119. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the delivery of a new permanent school building for a school (details supplied); when the new school building will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21101/19]
View answerI can confirm Department officials are working to put a solution for the school's permanent accommodation in place at the earliest possible date. Unfortunately it is not possible to indicate a timeline for the confirmation of a location for the school at this point but I can assure the Deputy that the patron will be informed as soon as it is possible to do so.
120. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a school building project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21134/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a new permanent building for the school to which he refers, is included on my Department’s school building programme to be delivered under the National Development Plan.
My Department is currently finalising the project brief with the aim of progressing the project into the architectural planning process at an early stage. In that regard, my Department will be in direct contact with the school authority shortly.
