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School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Questions (515)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

515. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will address school capacity issues in the Bandon area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36685/20]

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Written answers

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 (GIS). The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department's own school enrolment databases, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.

The process has been strengthened this year through three specific initiatives:

1. enhanced engagement with local authorities in relation to the information on residential development incorporated in the analysis process;

2. additional engagement with patron bodies in relation to their local knowledge on school place requirements. Education and Training Boards, Diocesan offices and national patron bodies such as Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta etc. can also be an important source of local knowledge. This will add to information also provided to the Department by local authorities or individual schools.

3. Utilising the information gleaned from schools under the national inventory of school capacity completed by individual schools last year as part of POD, P-POD returns process.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may 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.

It is intended that demand in Bandon will be addressed by increasing capacity at St Brogans College to a Long Term Projected Enrolment of 1,000 pupils.  In this regard, capital funding has been approved and the project has been devolved to the school authority (CETB) for delivery.  There is also a project for Hamilton High school included on the Capital programme which is currently under consideration.  Department officials are in communication with the school authority of Coláiste na Toirbhirte with a view to increasing capacity in order to meet projected demand.

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