Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
11. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education if she will review the decision to not re-evaluate a school (details supplied) and its grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34025/22]
View answerMy colleague Deputy Carroll MacNeill sends her apologies. She asked me to raise this issue about a decision to re-evaluate a school and its grounds.
My Department has had engagement from both St. Laurence College and its trustees, Le Chéile Schools Trust, in respect of the school property. The school and trustees have indicated their willingness to support the Department in meeting educational needs in the area. This is very positive and welcome. The school has committed to making both mainstream places and places for pupils with special educational needs available. This proactive and positive approach to providing for pupils with special educational needs must be commended and it is very welcomed. In support of this provision for pupils with special educational needs, the Department has approved capital funding to provide the necessary accommodation under the additional school accommodation scheme. As part of this project, the Department has also approved the provision of specialist rooms to support the school in its delivery of the curriculum to all of its students.
As Deputy Carroll MacNeill will be aware, the school is located in an area that is undergoing significant growth, especially within the nearby Cherrywood strategic development zone. Such development is considered as part of the Department’s strategic planning for school accommodation needs. The Department’s strategic planning utilises a geographical information system and uses data from a range of sources, including enrolment data, school transfer patterns, census statistics, information on current and planned residential development and Project Ireland 2040 housing and population targets. Analysis of capacity at existing schools also forms part of the Department’s planning process, as well as the potential for expansion of schools in each area.
The Department also works closely with local authorities in respect of their statutory planning processes, including with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, where it has incorporated appropriate schools provision as part of the Cherrywood planning scheme. This scheme includes four primary school sites and two post-primary school sites, intended to meet the education needs of the new population in Cherrywood. The first school, a primary school, Cherrywood Educate Together National School, opened in September 2020. The establishment of two further schools has been announced and planning in that regard is advancing in tandem with the pace of residential development. However, my Department continues to keep school accommodation requirements under review in all areas, in consideration of primary, post-primary and special educational needs. Additionally, under Project Ireland 2040 there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of existing school stock, including an energy retrofit programme.
The Minister has answered all my questions in that comprehensive and positive response. I thank her for that.
