Emer Higgins
Question:252. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the post-primary catchment area that persons living in a location (details supplied) fall into; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56074/22]
View answerThursday, 10 November 2022
Questions (252)
Written answers
According to the Department's Geographical Information System, the area referred to by the Deputy is in the Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area.
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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.
In most areas, school planning areas were based on traditional school catchment areas where all primary schools were assigned to a post-primary feeder area (typically a population centre or town), containing one or more post-primary schools. With the introduction of Small Areas in Census 2011, these feeder areas were amended to align with Census Small Areas. The current school planning areas take account not only of local groupings of schools, but also of natural boundaries, Census Small Areas and other local conditions. In urban areas, including Dublin, districts were created to allow for the grouping of schools and took into account natural boundaries where feasible, but also were specifically drawn to incorporate census electoral divisions and enumerator areas.
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.
The most recent projections for the Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area indicate a slight increase in requirement at post primary level up to 2025. There are two post primary schools in this school planning area. The schools’ have a current enrolment of 1,200 pupils. The projected peak year is 2025 with 1,892 pupils and enrolments are projected to decrease thereafter.