Sorca Clarke
Question:128. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the areas identified as being in need of additional schools based on reviews, in tabular form. [13854/21]
View answerThursday, 11 March 2021
Questions (128)
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, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
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.
Since 2018 47 new schools have been announced to be established to meet demographic needs. The majority of these schools have already been established and a further nine primary schools and eight post primary schools are scheduled to be established in the coming years. The relevant school planning areas which these schools are intended to serve are listed below:
|
Remaining New Primary Schools: School Planning Areas |
|
Donaghmede_Howth_D13 |
|
Dublin2_Dublin4 |
|
Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR/North |
|
Bray/Woodbrook Shanganagh |
|
Clondalkin_D22 |
|
Gurranbraher_CorkCity |
|
Kilkenny/City, Western Environs |
|
Naas |
|
Sallynoggin_Killiney_dDLR/Cherrywood |
|
Remaining New Post Primary Schools: School Planning Areas |
|
Ballincollig |
|
Booterstown_Blackrock & Dunlaoghaire (Regional Solution) |
|
Dunshaughlin |
|
Gorey |
|
Donaghmede_Howth_D13/Baldoyle/ Stapolin |
|
Dublin2_Dublin4 |
|
Sallynoggin_Killiney_DLR/Cherrywood |
|
Drumcondra_Marino_Dublin1 |
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.