Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
416. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Education if there are plans for additional primary or secondary schools in each of the planning areas across Dublin city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9543/21]
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, 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. 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.
Since 2011, four new post primary schools and eleven new primary schools have been established for demographic purposes to serve school planning areas which are partly or fully within the Dublin City Council administrative area. An additional two new primary schools have been established in Dublin City school planning areas under the patronage divesting process.
In addition to those new schools which have already been established, the below schools have also been announced to serve school planning areas in Dublin City:
- A new Gaelscoil to serve the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area to be established in 2021
- A new Gaelscoil to serve the Dublin2_Dublin4 school planning area to be established in 2021
- A new post primary school to serve Booterstown_Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire school planning areas to be established in 2021
- A new post primary school to serve Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1 school planning area to be established in 2022
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 is at an advanced stage.
