Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of school places at primary and second level in Clane, County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to cater for a rapidly expanding population; if she is satisfied that such requirements can be met in full by September next; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16725/24]
View answerThe Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare School Planning Areas including Prosperous_Clane.
As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across these areas of enrolment pressure, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified. The Department also continues to work with a patron to ensure that a small number of children in the Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area are provided with a first year place, further to additional places that have already been made available in Prosperous.
There will be greater clarity for families over the coming weeks as admissions processes continue to work through and required additional places come on stream.
The Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned in Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area. The project to provide for 1,000 pupils at St. Farnan’s is currently at Stage 2b and the project at Scoil Mhuire is to provide additional classrooms, 2 science labs, 5 mainstream classrooms and 4 classroom SEN base is at Stage 1.
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, may be viewed on the 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.
The picture in relation to school place requirements is very dynamic, noting that children may also move into an area during the course of the school year (including from overseas). This is a particular issue in parts of the country where expansion of residential development has been contributing to mid-year demand for places.
Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the North Kildare School Planning Areas for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.
