Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
369. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a new school building for (details supplied); how updates are being communicated to school management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14667/23]
View answerAs you will be aware, a major capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being addressed through the Department’s Construction Programme. This project is currently at stage 2b of the architectural planning process.
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. Current and planned residential development activity, as well as Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets, additionally inform my Department’s forecasts of school place needs.
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 school
- Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department has been engaging with Kildare Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB), as patron of the school, regarding the long-term accommodation needs of the school in question and my Department is currently further reviewing the demographics for the Blessington School Planning Area (SPA) in that context.
My Department has also been working with KWETB to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation in place to meet the interim needs of the school, pending the delivery of the main project.
My Department’s Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department’s published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction and inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The school referred to by the Deputy is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.My Department’s overall approach is to ensure that available capacity is maximised to the greatest extent possible as part of its consideration of applications for additional accommodation. Additionally, my Department is working to ensure that projects in the pipeline for planning and delivery are focused on maximising their alignment with overall capacity requirements. Engagement with relevant patrons will be important in this regard.
The Department is currently considering the long-term capacity requirements in the Blessington area, taking into account existing demographic requirements as well as current and future residential developments in the area. It is important that school building projects take appropriate account of the longer-term needs of an area, as well as ensuring that the immediate school place requirements can be facilitated. Officials will continue to engage with KWETB in this regard. A solution to address the school's interim accommodation needs is also being progressed.
I can confirm that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in Blessington for 2023 and future years.
