Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1008. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education her plans to minimise the time new schools spend in temporary accommodation before moving to a permanent site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19191/21]
View answer1009. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her Department will engage in forward planning in terms of projected population growth and the corresponding need for new schools to ensure that when schools are opened they can move straight into a permanent site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19192/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1008 and 1009 together.
As the Deputy is aware, 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.
The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that some 64% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2024, whereas some 90% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2027.
The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision.
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.
Where new school provision is required, the delivery of permanent accommodation for the school typically requires the acquisition of a suitable site and the planning, procurement and construction of a school building project. The timeframes for these processes are subject to multiple factors, many outside of my Department’s control.
While every effort is made to anticipate school place demands and to deliver permanent accommodation as early as possible, where necessary my Department makes arrangements for schools to open in suitable interim accommodation, pending delivery of their school building project.
