Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
220. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether there are plans to locate a future primary and/or post-primary school in the growing north Santry area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51794/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
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 CSO Census data, 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 have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
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.
Santry is located in the Whitehall_SantryD9 School Planning Area.
There are 6 primary school projects planned in the Whitehall_SantryD9 school planning are: and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Gaelscoil Áine (Roll No: 20517C) – Brief: New 8-classroom school plus 2 SEN
Our Lady of Victories NS (Roll No: 19242F) – Brief: 2 x 80m2 mainstream classroom & 1 x 15m2 Resource Room. Stage 4: Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site.
Holy Child NS (Roll No: 17318C) – Brief: 2x Classroom SEN base Stage 4
Our Lady Of Victories GNS (Roll No: 18911R) – Brief: 1x80m2 Mainstream, 1xWC, 3 x SET room Stage 5: Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.
Virgin Mary Girls NS (Roll No: 19303W) – Brief Reconfiguration works to accommodate ASD class. Stage 5
Virgin Mary Boys National School (Roll No: 19302U) – Brief Reconfiguration works to existing space to create 1 x SEN Class base
Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna (Roll No: 20015B) – Brief reconfiguration works for SEN. Stage 5
There are 4 post primary school projects planned in the Whitehall_SantryD9 school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Ellenfield Community College (Roll No: 70321P) – Brief: new replacement school for 1,000 pupils plus 6 SEN
St Kevin's College (Roll No: 60581M) – Brief: Science Lab & Prep area, 1 x 179m2 Construction studies room & 2 x 49m2. Stage 2B: Stage 2B is the developed design & lodgement of planning permission
St Aidans CBS (Roll No: 60481I) – Brief: 15 MCR (9 prefab replacement), 5 SET(prefab replacement), 1 Construction, 1 Tech Prep,2 Project Store,2 Science Labs,1 Prep, 1 DCG, 1 Art, 1 x Multimedia, 1 Music, 2 SEN and ancillary. Stage 2B
Clonturk College (Roll No: 76394D) – Brief new school building to cater for LTPE 1000, plus a 6 class SEN base. Stage 1: Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at 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.
The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including Santry.
