Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021
338. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the growing lack of secondary school places in south County Kildare; her plans to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56951/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas.
Where capacity issues 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
The true extent of any capacity issue will only become known following discussion with the relevant school authorities.
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions. This engagement with Patrons is ongoing and is focussed on ensuring that the start of the 2022/23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students.
