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School Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Questions (419, 420, 444, 445)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which primary, post-primary and Gaelscoil requirements and-or additional facilities required are provided for in Leixlip, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40119/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

420. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the progress to date or in hand in meeting the school place, replacement of facilities, new school requirements and special needs provision at primary and post-primary levels in Straffan, County Kildare; the extent to which each project is on target in line with projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40125/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the school replacement, extension or upgrade requests submitted by each of the various school authorities throughout north County Kildare at primary and second levels in respect of which construction progress is in hand, is planned for an early date or is awaiting attention; when it is expected that each of the projects will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40465/20]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate classroom accommodation remains available at primary and second level schools nationally with reference to those areas of concentrated population and high pupil-teacher ratios; if she is satisfied that deficiencies in space can be adequately provided for in the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40466/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 419, 420, 444 and 445 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 (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.

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. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in County Kildare 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, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, 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 (Additional Accommodation Scheme) can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.

Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.

Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.

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