Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
591. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the level of engagement between her Department and Dublin City Council in relation to a new primary school for the Meakstown area of Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17972/23]
View answer592. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans for a new school in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17973/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.
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, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing local pressures and demand for primary and post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including school planning areas in Dublin 9 and 11.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required, 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 working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those of schools in Dublin 9 and 11, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate further action to that already in train, including the provision of modular accommodation where necessary.
The Department has engaged with Dublin City Council in regards to the 2022-2028 County Development Plan. The Jamestown Industrial Estate Lands close to the Meakstown area have been identified in the plan as having significant potential for re-generation. It is noted that the Jamestown land bank has the potential to deliver a significant number of residential units (2,200+). A site has been zoned within the Jamestown lands for a future primary school should the projected population materialise as a result of the development of the potential residential units within this land bank. The County Development plan provides that a masterplan for the lands shall be prepared and that consultation will take place with all the key stakeholders, of which the Department of Education is one. The Department will continue to engage with the Council regarding this area.
Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands. It is expected that the enrolment pressures in this, and other areas will reduce in the short-term as such planned additional capacity comes on stream and as demographic demand moves past its peak.
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 school planning areas 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.
My Department is currently planning the delivery of a major campus project on the current Clonturk Community College site in Whitehall. The project will deliver two new 1,000 pupil post-primary schools and 1 new primary school (8 classrooms) on the Clonturk site. One of the new post- primary schools will be for Ellenfield Community College to replace their existing school. The new school will include a 4 classroom SEN Base. The other new post-primary school is a replacement school building for Clonturk Community College. The expanded post-primary schools will provide circa 1,200 additional co-educational, multi-denominational post-primary school places in North Dublin City.
The Department is currently developing the accommodation brief for this significant campus development and is engaging with the school patrons as part of this process.
The requirement for additional school places in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 is kept under on-going review. My Department will continue to liaise with the local Council in respect of its review of the Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
