Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
535. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the ongoing liaison her Department has had with South Dublin County Council regarding the review of its Development Plan and the need to provide an additional second level school in the school planning area of Newcastle/Rathcoole located in Newcastle Village, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48482/23]
View answerNew schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
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.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
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.
Newcastle Village is located in the Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area. The most recent projections for Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area indicate an increase in requirements at post primary level up to 2033 followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
There are 2 major projects in the SPA:
Roll Number 76594L - Coláiste Pobail Fóla for New School Building for 1,000 pupils plus 4 classroom SEN Base. This is at Stage 3. Coláiste Pobail Fóla was established in 2020 as a regional solution for the area and would be expected to cater for future demand in the area.
Roll Number 91301D – Holy Family Community School for New School Building for 1000 pupils plus 2 SEN. This is at Stage 3. The school is also at Stage 6 for Modular Accommodation for 3 general classrooms.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review. The Department will continue to engage with South Dublin County Council including attending quarterly meetings with their Planning Department, in respect of its review of the South Dublin County Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements.
