Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
364. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of measures she is taking to ease the stress on primary school places in Swords, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16472/20]
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.
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.
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.
In April 2018 the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the four years 2019 to 2022, including two new primary schools to serve the Swords school planning area (North and South). This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Rivervalley CNS opened in September 2019 as a single stream school in interim accommodation at Feltrim Road, Swords. It will move to further interim accommodation for September 2020 and will be located at 85/87 Main Street Swords.
Broadmeadow CNS is due to be established as a single stream school in September 2020. It will be accommodated in interim accommodation at Mooretown, Swords.
In addition to the new schools announced, a major building project for St. Cronan’s Senior National School includes the demolition of the existing Senior National School building and prefabricated classrooms and the construction of a new two-storey primary school comprising 26 general classrooms plus a 2 classroom SEN Base. The project also includes a new single-storey extension of 2 general classrooms plus a 2 classroom SEN Base to the rear of the existing St. Cronan’s Junior National School.
The requirement for new schools is under ongoing review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
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.
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.
