Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
302. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if there is enough choice and supply of post-primary school places for the growing population of Pelletstown, Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54573/23]
View answerAs 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.
As part of my Department's commitment to the National Planning Framework, as part of Project Ireland 2040, and with the objective of ensuring that there is appropriate education provision for future populations, my Department engages proactively with the 31 local authorities in the development of their statutory plans. In the context of Dublin City, my Department has had regular engagement with Dublin City Council through the development and adoption of its 2022-2028 Development Plan. This has allowed my Department to plan for the projected population growth in the Dublin City Council area over the course of the Development Plan.
It is, however, important to note that the impact of population growth on school place requirements is mitigated by changing demographic trends. Despite projected national population growth, the numbers of primary students are forecast to reduce by 100,000 over the next decade, and while post primary enrolments are expected to peak in 2024, they are forecast to decline by 70,000 over the subsequent ten years.
The impact on school places of the projected population growth in Dublin 15 is being considered in that context, with a view to identifying any further accommodation solutions required to meet the capacity requirements. However, it is important to note that my Department is already delivering significant additional capacity at schools in the city as part of its capital programme.
Pelletstown Dublin 15, to which the Deputy refers, is located in the Cabra_Phibsboro_D7 school planning area and is currently served by 8 post-primary schools. The projected peak year for post- primary enrolments is 2025.
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 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.
