Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she hopes to have sufficient school places available at primary and second level in Kildare North, and throughout the country at large, in time for the beginning of the new school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22873/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) 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 the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including North Kildare areas, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.
While my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in North Kildare, 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 – where pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
• School of choice – where pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town or area.
• Some towns or areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils
• External draw – that is, pupils coming from outside the local area
Through engagement with school authorities and patrons, having accounted for factors such as duplication of applications, my Department has established that there is a requirement for increased provision at schools in North Kildare.
My officials are leading ongoing discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities to put the necessary solutions in place for the 2023/24 and future school years. This includes the use of existing spare capacity, sanctioning of works to existing accommodation, and the accelerated provision of modular accommodation.
The close working between my officials and schools and patrons in North Kildare has already resulted in a significant number of additional places being made available and further places will made available very shortly. It is expected that these will meet requirements, however my Department is continuing to monitor the situation.
Further to these immediate measures, as the Deputy may be aware, the Department is progressing a number of building projects in North Kildare under the National Development Plan. This includes projects at primary and post primary schools, and includes provision for mainstream accommodation as well as for children with special educational needs.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
As I said, in addition to all these developments, the requirement, for extra school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, the Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authority in respect of its review of Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in North Kildare and across the county for the 2023/24 school year and into the future. My Department has established that there is a requirement for additional provision in the area and will ensure that any required accommodation solution is put in place, as well as continuing to advance current ongoing projects.
