Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
293. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update and details of her plans to construct a new primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17584/24]
View answer297. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the details of plans for the building of a new primary school in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17601/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 297 together.
I would like to advise the Deputy that, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the 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. Current and planned residential development activity, as well as Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets, additionally inform the Department’s forecasts of school place needs.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
• Extending the capacity of a school or school
• Provision of a new school or schools.
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, including the completion of over 750 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities
The Department’s overall approach is to ensure that available capacity is maximised to the greatest extent possible as part of its consideration of applications for additional accommodation. Additionally, the Department is working to ensure that projects in the pipeline for planning and delivery are focused on maximising their alignment with overall capacity requirements.
The main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs. The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects our fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.
There are 8 primary schools in the Carrick-on-Shannon SPA (school planning area). Enrolments in this SPA, peaked in 2023 with 1,294 enrolments with a steady decline and are predicted to drop to 1,026 by 2035. There are currently 3 projects at stage 1, (Preliminary Design Stage), 1 project at stage 5, (Handover of Works and Final Account), in the Carrick-on-Shannon School Planning Area. I can also confirm that the Department has received 2 more applications from schools in the Carrick-on-Shannon SPA and Department officials are currently working on those.
The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing infrastructures will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with Departments on NDP allocations over the coming months.
I can assure the Deputy that the provision of required school places, including for children with special educational needs, is a priority for my Department and my officials are working to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the school place needs in Carrick-on-Shannon and the wider School Planning Area for future years.
