Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Kilcock, County Kildare continues to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45899/21]
View answer286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Naas, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45900/21]
View answer287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Clane, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45901/21]
View answer288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Prosperous, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45902/21]
View answer289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Leixlip, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45903/21]
View answer290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Celbridge, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45904/21]
View answer291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Sallins, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45905/21]
View answer292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Maynooth, County Kildare continue to be met; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45906/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 to 292, inclusive, together.
My Department has a strong and ambitious rollout of projects under the school building programme to support the operation of the school system particularly in terms of additional capacity requirements.
During the NDP period 2018-2020, there were 526 completed building projects under the Large Scale Capital Programme and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places, including permanent accommodation for 229 special classes and additional capacity for 67 classrooms in 14 special schools throughout the country.
There are also currently some 250 school building projects on site many of which will be completed in 2022.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
While at a national level, enrolment trends indicate that primary enrolments have passed their peak and that post primary enrolments will peak in the 2024/25 academic year, my Department is very much aware that there are variations to this trend at regional and local level. For that reason, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographic Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity in order to anticipate school place demand and identify capacity requirement priorities which will necessitate action. This is important in the context of ensuring alignment with the Government’s Housing for All Plan.
While much progress has been made to date, the continued modernisation of school facilities will be a priority for my Department under the forthcoming revised NDP to 2030. This increased focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock will be further to the continued increase of school capacity to keep pace with demographic demand including provision for Special Education Needs.
The current status of all building projects, including those in County Kildare is available on my Department website www.education.ie and this information will continue to be updated on a regular basis.
