Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
142. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the forward planning section has assessed the need for additional school places in east Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52495/23]
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. Dunmore East, Passage, Faithlegg, Woodtown and Gaultier are located in the Waterford school planning area.
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.
The peak year for Waterford School Planning Area at Primary Level was 2021.
There are 2 primary school projects planned in the East Waterford. These are:
St Marys NS, Ballygunner (Roll No: 17351A)
Brief: 1x80m2 Mainstream classroom, 1xWC for assisted users, 6xSpecial Education Teaching (SET) rooms.
Project Stage: Stage 2B - Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission
Passage East National School (Roll No: 14989L)
Brief: 2 Class SEN Base; 2 x 15m² SET Rooms (prefab replacement)
Project Stage: Stage 1 - 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 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.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by factors such as duplication of applications or school of choice - this is, where pupils can't get a place in their preferred school but there are places in other schools in the area.
My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Waterford over recent years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population. My 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 Waterford.
