Seán Sherlock
Question:906. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will account for the lack of school places for pupils (details supplied) in County Waterford. [43208/22]
View answerThursday, 8 September 2022
Questions (906)
Written answers
My Department's projections of post primary school place requirements in County Waterford show an anticipated continued growth in enrolments in the short- to medium-term.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the area in question, 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.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) can also be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
In response to projected future need and to enrolment pressures in the area, there has been significant capital investment by my Department providing additional capacity at post primary schools in county Waterford.
- CBS Mount Sion (64930I) Project to facilitate expansion to cater for LTPE of 500 pupils - stage 1
- Waterpark College (64940L) Project to facilitate expansion to cater for LTPE of 450 - Stage 4
- Newtown School (65010R) . Project to facilitate its expansion to cater for 650 - stage 2b
- Gaelcholaiste Phort Lairge (68078U) Project to cater for LTPE of 300 - Pre stage 1
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.