Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
460. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education her approach to school planning in the South Dublin County Council area specifically to address the inconsistency in approach to same; the reason the public site in the Grange, Kilcarberry, Clondalkin is not being retained by her Department for future school needs; and the reason a private site within the Ballycullen local area plan remains earmarked as a school site for over 20 years. [8219/22]
View answerMy Department engages with the statutory development plan process for each local authority and makes an assessment on how best to provide for potential future school place requirements likely to emerge as a result of adopted plans . This approach was used in South Dublin.
In Clondalkin, a significant area of new development is planned for the Kilcarbery area. In this regard, a requirement was announced in 2018 to establish a new primary school. The school is not established yet as planned residential development has not proceeded at the pace anticipated. The proposed location for the school is a suitable Minister-owned site which is very close to the development. A decision on the timing of the establishment of this school will be made based on demographic requirements
The Ballycullen/Oldcourt Local Area Plan (extended to June 2024) contains significant zoned land for future residential development that is projected to generate a school requirement for this community. The site to which the Deputy refers is suitable and well positioned to meet the future projected needs of the area. Given the extent of residential land zoned in the area and the consequent potential population, my Department considers it prudent and responsible to retain a suitable site to meet that potential future need.
