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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. Trim is situated in the Trim school planning area.
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 local authority to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet increased demand.
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.
There are a number of capital projects being delivered in Trim which are increasing school place provision in the school planning area. Details of all large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme 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 requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years, including those which may arise in the Trim school planning area, is at an advanced stage.
Furthermore, the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas.
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 these 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 not become known.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those in this school planning area, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.
