Emer Higgins
Question:100. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the lack of post-primary school places for feeder schools in Dublin mid-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52807/23]
View answerThursday, 30 November 2023
Questions (100)
Written answers
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.
As 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.
There can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between School Planning Areas, particularly in urban areas, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the School Planning Area in which they reside or not.
Notwithstanding this, the Department is aware of pressures for school places in School Planning Areas across Dublin West. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Lucan and Newcastle_Rathcoole have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible, and once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.
This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
My Department has delivered significant expanded capacity in Dublin West, including the new schools for Adamstown Community College and Kishogue Community College. There are also a large number of building projects on site or in train across Dublin West including new school buildings for the recently established Coláiste Pobail Fola and Griffeen Community College. New school buildings or extensions are also in train for Holy Family Community School, Tallaght Community School, St. Joseph's College and Lucan Community College. Multiple smaller projects providing additional accommodation are also at various stages of planning and delivery.
I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Dublin Mid-West for the 2024/25 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in the across these School Planning Area will receive a first year place.