School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (795)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

795. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the situation regarding a school (details supplied), whereby a new Educate Together secondary school is unable to accommodate pupils from an Educate Together primary school in the same area, who live less than 100 metres from the planned secondary school site, due to a cap in numbers on the school; if she will extend the cap to allow for sufficient places for a third class; if her Department will examine adding further autism spectrum disorder places to the school; when construction of the permanent school building is due to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33368/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The school to which the Deputy refers is currently in interim accommodation on the Grange Community College site pending delivery of its intended interim accommodation on its permanent site on Belmayne Avenue, Belmayne. Work has commenced on site and it is currently anticipated that the accommodation will be ready for occupation by the school in early December.

In addition to the interim accommodation for the post-primary school that site which currently facilitates interim accommodation for a primary school will also accommodate the future construction of the permanent building for the post-primary school. In that regard, there are restrictions on the amount of temporary accommodation that can be placed on the permanent site. Therefore, the Department has informed the school and its Patron Body, Educate Together that it will not be possible for the school to increase its enrolment intake beyond the current intake level (which is up to 48 pupils at 1st year intake) for the 2021/2022 academic year.