Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
381. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education to outline her plans to provide additional school accommodation required at a location (details supplied) due to the increasing population in recent times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35333/23]
View answerAs 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 the Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in the Portlaoise area, 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
Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places in the Portlaoise area. With the support of my Department, a number of additional school places have already been made available in recent weeks. Engagement is ongoing with schools and patrons with a view to making increased provision where necessary.
