Johnny Guirke
Question:334. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the measures in place to accommodate pupils of a school (details supplied) in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56936/21]
View answerTuesday, 23 November 2021
Questions (334)
Written answers
My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for school places in a number of school planning areas including Trim.
However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures 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 they are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in Trim, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has the following major building works planned to assist in the process of providing additional second level places:
- Boyne Community School - 91508C - Major Project to provide an LTPE of 1200 students and 4 SEN base - Architectural design stage. The school has also received grant aid for the provision of interim accommodation to accommodate the increase in enrolments between now and the completion of the build. This project was completed in June 2021.
- Scoil Mhuire - 64450R - Major Project to provide an LTPE of 1000 students and 2 SEN classes - project brief stage