Skip to main content
Normal View

School Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2019

Thursday, 17 October 2019

Questions (140, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which the need for primary and post-primary school places as identified by the various school authorities in Leixlip, County Kildare, continues to be met in full; the arrangement in place to meet deficiencies; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42907/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current identified requirement in respect of primary and secondary school places in Naas, County Kildare; the degree to which each project is progressing or failing; the number of places involved; when all the accommodation as set out will be available for occupation in line with the requests of the local school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42909/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current identified requirement in respect of primary and secondary school places in Clane, County Kildare; the degree to which each project is progressing or failing; the number of places involved; when all the accommodation as set out will be available for occupation in line with the requests of the local school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42910/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current identified requirement in respect of primary and secondary school places in Prosperous, County Kildare; the degree to which each project is progressing or failing; the number of places involved; when all the accommodation as set out will be available for occupation in line with the requests of the local school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42911/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current identified requirement in respect of primary and secondary school places in Sallins, County Kildare; the degree to which each project is progressing or failing; the number of places involved; when all the accommodation as set out will be available for occupation in line with the requests of the local school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42912/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which the current primary and second level school accommodation at Kilcock, County Kildare, continues to meet the requirements and demographics set out by the various school authorities; the proposals to assess these issues; the progress therein in respect of each case with a view to meeting in full as required the places necessary now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42914/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he is meeting the primary school place requirements at Newtown, Enfield, Johnstown Bridge, Tirmohan, Rathcoffey and Donadea, County Kildare, in view of the increased need arising from demographics; the position regarding each school project; when increased facilities as required are likely to become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42915/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 142 to 145, inclusive, 147 and 148 together.

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.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in an area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, the Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential developments 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.

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) including the following new schools to serve the areas referred to by the Deputy:

- a new 8-classroom primary school to be established in 2019 to serve the Leixlip school planning area,

- a new 8-classroom primary school to be established in 2021 to serve the Naas school planning area.

- a new 500 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Kilcock school planning area to be located in Enfield.

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.

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. My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.

Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.

Top
Share