Written Answers Nos. 535-552
535. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if an application under the school building programme, submitted by a school, (details supplied), can be fast-tracked to take account of the increase in the number of students enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17242/23]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB). The Design Team for this project was appointed in June 2022. The Stage 1 report was received in the Department in March 2023 and is currently under review.
Following completion of the Stage 1 process, the Design Team will move to detailed design and then seek the necessary statutory planning permission, following which the project will progress onward to tender and construction.
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. Please be assured that the ETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
536. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will assess and address the needs of a school, (details supplied), for an indoor sports/multipurpose facility, changing rooms and general-purpose area to accommodate the increase in numbers enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17243/23]
View answer537. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the allocation of temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) to ensure the safe, orderly and efficient provision of physical education and extracurricular activities to accommodate the increase in numbers enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17244/23]
View answer557. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if a new school build (details supplied) can be fast tracked given the growing school population and the fact that there is no indoor sports/multipurpose facility to provide PE and extra-curricular activities which are currently unavailable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17449/23]
View answer558. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if temporary accommodation could be provided to a school (details supplied) where it has been approved for a new build but currently has no indoor sports/multipurpose facility to provide PE and extra-curricular activities to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17450/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 537, 557 and 558 together.
The Deputies will be aware that a building project for Roscommon Community College was approved under the Department's Additional Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project has been devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
The Design Team for this project was appointed in June 2022. The Stage 1 report was received in my Department recently and is currently under review. Following approval of the Stage 1 report, the next step for the ETB's Design Team will be to progress the project to Stage 2a (Developed Design) and obtain the statutory planning approvals.
PE halls are not funded under the Department’s ASA Scheme and therefore the Department cannot include the construction of a PE Hall for Roscommon Community College as part of this project. My Department can confirm however that the design and location of the PE hall is included in the master plan of the site to show how it can be added easily to the school at a later date. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This will include a PE Hall build and modernisation programme to ensure that students in all post-primary schools have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision.
In relation to temporary accommodation, my Department has approved modular accommodation for 6 mainstream classrooms and 1 Special Class for the school which is expected to be installed for the 2023/24 school year to cater for increasing enrolments at the school pending the construction of permanent extension.
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 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 across the county for 2023 and future years.
538. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education is she aware that a child (details supplied) has not secured a secondary school place in Kilkenny. [17250/23]
View answer569. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education is she aware that a child (details supplied) is unable to secure a secondary school place in Kilkenny; if she can confirm what assistance her Department is providing to ensure that the child secures a secondary school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17579/23]
View answer570. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education if she is aware there are a number of students (details supplied) in Kilkenny who have not got a secondary school place yet. [17609/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538, 569 and 570 together.
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.
As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
539. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education when additional full-time educational assistants can be appointed to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17259/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This level of educational funding and support is unprecedented and represents in excess of 27% of the Department’s total allocation for 2023.
For 2023, the spend by my Department on special education will be substantially increased by over 10% on last year, meaning that for 2023 my department will spend over €2.6 billion on special education.
My Department has provided funding for 1,165 additional Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools in the past year and in Budget 2023 an additional 1,194 SNAs are being provided to support schools and will be allocated as follows: 735 to support students in new special classes, 124 to support students in new special school places and 335 to support students in mainstream classes.
In 2023, the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase with an additional 686 teachers and a further 1,194 special needs assistants in our schools by the end of this year.
For the first time ever we will have over 19,000 teachers working in the area of special education and over 20,000 SNAs. Together we have almost 40,000 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and any reviews of allocations. A school can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students.
Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website: www.ncse.ie/application-for-sna-exceptional-review.
The NCSE endeavour to respond to all applications for exceptional review received as expediently as possible and in that regard, it will prioritise applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. The Exceptional Review process for mainstream allocations will be available to schools throughout the 2022/23 school year.
The NCSE have confirmed to my Department that they have received and processed a recent application for an SNA exceptional review from the school referred to by the Deputy. The NCSE state that the review outcome letters will issue to the school this week.
The NCSE has developed an appeal mechanism for schools who are not satisfied with the outcome of the Exceptional Review. Local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) will provide information and clarification to schools on the outcome where requested. Where schools wish to appeal the outcome of the review, they must do so using the prescribed form provided by the NCSE:www.ncse.ie/ncse-appeals-process.
All schools have the contact details of their local SENO, and the SENO is available to offer assistance and advice to the school.
The Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations and the school should liaise with the NCSE directly in the event that additional supports are required.
The SNA allocations for the 2023/2024 school year are presently being development by my department and will be advised to schools as soon as possible and in line with previous year timelines.
540. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding four temporary prefab classroom units for a school (details supplied); if they will be in place in advance of the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17312/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department approved a project for modular accommodation of 4 general classrooms under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the school referred to by the Deputy.
My Department is committed to progressing this project and will shortly be engaging directly with the school authority on the delivery of the required accommodation. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
541. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education the actions her Department will take to ensure all children awarded summer provision are provided with a place given there are still a number of schools not signing up to the scheme despite the lifting of staffing barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17332/23]
View answerThe Department recently announced details of the 2023 Summer Programme on 9 February 2023. All schools will have an opportunity to run a programme for those children that need it the most.
The central theme for this year’s programme is, ‘Building Confidence and Connections’. The primary aim of this theme is to help our children and young people to realise their potential, to be resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their lives, to take care of their physical wellbeing and to have a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to their school community.
The main priority in 2023 is that those children with the most complex special educational needs, especially in special schools, should have access to a school-based summer programme.
The terms and conditions for the 2023 Summer Programme are being implemented following a comprehensive review and engagement with education partners and stakeholders since last summer, including the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Autism.
The Department has engaged with management bodies, schools and parents with a view to encouraging more schools to participate in the 2023 programme. Measures to encourage schools to sign up and provide places on the school-based summer programme are as follows:
This year, the Primary School Scheme combines the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from last year into one cohesive scheme for mainstream primary school bring a more targeted approach for children with special educational needs.
This year also introduces a new adjustment to the scheme for special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports and funding are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.
As part of this pilot, a National Coordinator has been appointed to liaise with special schools to help facilitate them run a programme. A series of live recorded webinars directed specifically at encouraging as well as assuaging any concerns of Special Schools have recently taken place and are available to view on www.gov.ie/summerprogramme.
In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level and one at post primary:-
• The Primary School Scheme for pupils in all primary mainstream schools.
• The DEIS expanded literacy and numeracy summer camp/campaí samhraidh for pupils in DEIS primary schools.
• The Post-Primary Scheme for students with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage.
• Further supports that will facilitate schools run a school based programme 2023:
• School Organiser Role - In 2023, instead of preparation hours, there will be a dedicated role of School Organiser in each school offering the summer programme. The School Organiser will receive additional remuneration for their role. This is envisaged to be a key leadership role that will offer development opportunities for staff in schools.
• Summer Programme Manager - In all schools (mainstream and special), the role that was previously called the Overseer will now be called the Summer Programme Manager.
• Staff training – This year there will be information and training session provided to all schools, including special schools, which will provided guidance and training.
• Length of school day for special schools - the length of the day for children’s activities is being reduced from the full school day to 10am – 2pm or alternate hours which best fits the school’s need. Four hours of activities for children must be provided each day, this again recognises the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.
• Flexibility in Weeks - The weeks schools run a programme do not have to be consecutive, the scheme is flexible to allow schools choose weeks which best suit their needs and staff availability.
• Continuation of 2022 supports - Other enhanced measures from last year will continue to encourage schools’ participation, including a Centralised Application Process to reduce admin burden on schools, earlier payment of school staff and an additional capitation to cover the running costs of the scheme, as well as enhanced capitation for special schools.
• Helpline support has been available to schools since the launch of the programme. The online registration portals for Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools opened on 1 March 2023. Participating schools can request additional resources from the Department to run their programme.
• Schools are given flexibility to engage staff that are not currently employed in their schools to support their summer programme. A portal is also available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. This portal went live on the 1 March 2023 on www.educationposts.ie. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on this year’s Programme.
• This year there are information/training webinars provided to support all schools to organise a Summer Programme.
• Lastly, a Home-based programme will be available once again for pupils with complex special education needs where their school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based programme is unavailable. Details of Home-based programme will be published later in April.
542. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 29 March 2023, as a public representative for the Mayo constituency and in the context of withheld information, if she will confirm with regard to relevant matters (details supplied), the school building projects that are currently on hold or paused due to capital funding pressures. [17341/23]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 5 April an agreement was secured to guarantee and support the rollout and continuation of my Department’s ambitious school building programme.
My Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues.
This year alone, over 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools. There are also over 1,000 other school building projects being progressed through various stages of development. My Department also continues to support schools with the successful integration of over 15,000 Ukrainian students within our school system.
The agreement reached on 5 April will facilitate the continued rollout of urgently required school building projects in both mainstream and special education settings, including the 58 projects that were temporarily paused due to capital funding pressures.
My Department is very appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for the education budget.
Officials from my Department have updated each of the 58 schools in relation to the formal arrangements and next steps in respect of the delivery of their individual projects.
The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
543. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the free primary schoolbooks scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17344/23]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, my Department announced over €50 million to provide free schoolbooks to primary school pupils within the free education scheme from September 2023.
This free schoolbooks measure will eliminate the cost to families for all schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks at primary school, including special schools. It delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the free school book pilot, provided to over 100 DEIS primary schools over the past three school years.
Guidance on the implementation of the scheme is published and was made available to primary schools, including special schools, on 22 March to ensure they have sufficient time to implement the new scheme in advance of the start of the 2023/24 school year. The Guidance has been informed by the engagements with stakeholders.
My Department engaged with all relevant stakeholders as to how the scheme will operate. These included: primary school management bodies, unions, the National Parents Council Primary, representatives of booksellers and schoolbook publishers, IBEC, Retail Ireland, the Small Firms Association, Barnardos and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. My Department also engaged with a number of schools, including some of the primary schools participating in the DEIS pilot free book scheme, to learn of their first-hand experience of operating a book rental scheme.
The grant under the new scheme, is a permanent measure and will issue to each recognised primary school in April. In the case of primary schools managed by ETBs, the funding will issue directly to the relevant ETB. For the 2023/24 school year €96 per pupil will be paid in line with recognised pupil enrolment on 30 September 2022.
My Department has considered the voucher scheme referenced. However, it was not considered a viable option to deliver on the objectives of the scheme.
Schools are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. Primary schools and special schools will continue to have autonomy to choose books that meet their curricular requirements. The scheme will seek to ensure that value for money is achieved and that primary schools and special schools will be supported to implement the scheme in a way that has the best learning outcomes for pupils. Schools are already familiar with purchasing books from local suppliers for their existing book rental schemes and adhering to public procurement requirements.
My Department will continue to consider the relevant public procurement supports that could help underpin this measure in future years. This will be informed by the evaluation of the first year of the scheme.
In recognition of the work required in schools associated with implementing this scheme, my Department has put in place an administrative support grant. The administration support grant will be paid separately to the schoolbook grant and will issue to all primary schools and special schools.
A full evaluation of the first year of implementation of the scheme will be undertaken by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years.
544. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education what progress is being made to build a school in Clongriffin (details supplied), given the very high demand for school places in the area and given that the site that is reserved for a school is reserved only until 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17364/23]
View answerIn 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.
The 2022 demographic exercise indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
Where demographic 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:
• 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 Donaghmede_Howth School Planning Area indicate an increase in requirements at primary level up to 2026, and post primary level up to 2034, followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including in Donaghmede_Howth.
The following building projects are included in the Department’s school building programme for the Donaghmede/Howth/Dublin 13 School Planning Area.
• Gaelcholaiste Reachrann: A major project to provide permanent accommodation for this school is currently at stage 3 (tender). This project, when completed, will provide capacity for 600 pupils.
• Grange Community College: There are plans to expand this school to cater for 1,000 pupils and the project is currently at Project Brief stage.
• Belmayne ETSS: Major project currently at stage 4 (construction) to provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school including accommodation for children with special educational needs.
• Stapolin ETNS: Major project currently at Stage 4 (construction) to provide a new 16 classroom primary school including accommodation for children with special educational needs.
545. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17384/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware responsibility for delivering a major project for the school in question has been devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). The Department of Education originally approvedthe construction of a standalone extension of just over 4,000m2 in area to include a 2-classroom Special Education needs base. Some works to the existing building were also included in this approval.
A number of significant issues have unfortunately arisen, including delays in obtaining statutory consents from the local authority and delays to the finalisation of the detailed design process for the project as it was originally approved. The project was brought to Stage 2B. However, at that point it was agreed between DDLETB and the Department to proceed with an alternative proposal for the progression of the project as set out by DDLETB. This alternative involves the demolition and replacement of the existing building but also allows the provision of accommodation for another school on the site.
Based on a report provided by DDLETB, it was agreed following meetings between the Department and DDLETB that the project should be redesigned on that basis. The Department has been reviewing next steps in the progression of the project in the meantime. This review is now completed. The Department is now in a position to instruct DDLETB’s design team to develop a masterplan for the school in question and a second 1,000 pupil post primary school on the same site. The masterplan can develop the initial project in line with the DDLETB proposals previously advised in that respect, and provide a footprint for a second school based on a standard 1,000 pupil Schedule of Accommodation.
A decision on the optimum way forward will be taken as quickly as possible, subject to all relevant information being available. The Department will continue to engage with the patron in respect of the project, including in respect of the proposed delivery method.
If the masterplan demonstrates that this proposal is feasible, it is then anticipated that the project will progress on that basis. DDLETB can then be expected to proceed with the appointment of a Design Team to progress the redesign of the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions and move the project onward to construction in due course.
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for completion.
Pending completion of the main building project, the Department has approved the provision of a Home Economics Room, an Art Room, and a Toilet Block through the Department’s Framework of Modular Accommodation Providers. The school has put contingency arrangements in place to make best use of existing accommodation until the modular accommodation is ready to be occupied.
546. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17385/23]
View answerWith regard to the permanent school building project for the school in question, my Department has commenced the tender process for the appointment of the Project Manager.
Once the Project Manager is appointed, they will commence the tender process for the appointment of the Design Team that will take the project forward through the stages of architectural planning to tender and construction. The school and its Patron Body will be kept fully informed as these steps are progressed.
This is an important project on my Department's capital programme and I look forward to it being progressed and delivered as quickly as possible.
547. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the extension to the school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17386/23]
View answerThe project to which the deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. This project is part of the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey'.
An initial letter issued in 2022 advising the school that the NDFA will advise once all the preparation works are complete and will make arrangements to meet with the school as appropriate to discuss the project brief and the expected timeline for the project.
At this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project; however, the NDFA will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
548. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the new site and new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17387/23]
View answerA preferred site has been identified to meet the needs of the school referred to by the Deputy.
My Department has instructed the officials in Fingal County Council, under the Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of school sites, to commence negotiations for the acquisition of this preferred site.
Once a site has been acquired the project will then progress to the architectural design and planning stages.
While a site acquisition process is underway, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
549. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the date the Leaving Certificate results for 2023 will be issued to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17390/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that 2022 marked the return to externally delivered State examinations for all candidates at both Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle. . There were a number of factors that affected the timing of the issue of results for both examinations in 2022. There were a number of factors that affected the timing of results of State examinations in 2022. These included a challenge in recruiting sufficient examiners, the provision of deferred examinations at Leaving Certificate for candidates who experienced illness or bereavement, and the implementation of a post-marking adjustment.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations, has not confirmed a date on which the Leaving Certificate 2023 results will be issued.
However, both the SEC and my Department are acutely aware of the importance for students of this and they continue to work closely together to ensure that the results for Leaving Certificate 2023 are delivered in as timely a manner as possible.
550. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all efforts are being made to accommodate a person (details supplied), whose parents are making every effort to secure them a primary school place, in their local school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17398/23]
View answerMy 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area
• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues across school planning areas through ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities.
This close engagement will allow my Department to identify at an early stage particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.
The Educational Welfare Services (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers (EWO). Contact details are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/education-and-welfare/.
551. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education whether she has considered a proposal submitted by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17429/23]
View answerNo proposal as referred to by the Deputy currently rests with the Department's School Building Unit.
552. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will detail the contact her Department has had with a school (details supplied) regarding an additional accommodation scheme application; if she will provide an update and give assurance in relation to the accommodation needed at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17440/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has an application for additional school accommodation (ASA) from the school in question. This is currently being considered. When the assessment process is completed, a decision will be conveyed to the school authority directly.
