Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
480. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by parents in securing secondary school placements for children in Rathcoole, County Dublin; the plans of her Department to increase secondary school placements to meet demand in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22701/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that 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.
The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision. Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas (SPA's) including the school planning area of Newcastle/Rathcoole.
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 there are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
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.
The projected peak enrolment year for the Newcastle/Rathcoole SPA is 2025 with 1,544 post primary school places required. The combined current 2021 enrolment in the two post primary schools in the SPA is 1,200 pupils. Major building projects are in train in both schools, which when completed, will provide capacity for 2,000 pupils.
The building project for Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole is currently at tender stage with a target date of Quarter 4 of 2022 to commence on site.
The building project for Coláiste Pobail Fola, Saggart is currently at Stage 2b (detailed design) of the architectural planning process. My Department is currently considering the timeline for the progression to tender of a number of Design and Build projects, including the permanent accommodation for Coláiste Pobail Fola and will advise the school's patron body of further developments. Pending delivery of the permanent building project, my Department will continue to address the interim accommodation needs in conjunction with the school patron.
It is expected that the building projects, when completed in both schools, will meet the projected demand for post primary provision in the SPA.
