Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
272. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that there are enough primary and secondary school places in the Ballyfermot area to service the population in the area; or if there is a requirement to increasing the capacity of existing schools or the establishment of new ones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52212/23]
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.
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.
• The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.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.
• My Department currently has a number of building projects underway for both Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Ballyfermot School Planning Area. The additional capacity being provided by all of these projects is intended to address projected future capacity requirement. 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 Ballyfermot.
• The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the County Council in respect of its review of the County Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.
