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School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022

Thursday, 10 March 2022

Questions (299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13775/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

300. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Leixlip, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13776/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Celbridge, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13777/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

302. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Sallins, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13778/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Naas, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13779/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

304. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Prosperous, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13780/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Kilcock, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13781/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Clane, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13782/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Straffan, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13783/22]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor education requirements in Ardclough, County Kildare having regard to the population growth in the area, the number of children currently in primary school and likely to be in need to second education in the not too distant future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13784/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 and 308 together.

My Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country including county Kildare.

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.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area.  This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

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.

The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across a number of school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities/patrons.  The Department has been working closely with representatives of schools in Co Kildare to deliver appropriate solutions to provide any required school places, including the provision of necessary accommodation.

Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.

Approximately 1,200 school building projects under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction – most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 including in county Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.   

School place needs across all school planning areas will continue to be kept under review, using refreshed Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and other updated information as they become available. 

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