Vol. 434 No. 2
75 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education when she will have the most recent study into the second level school needs of the Castleknock area, Dublin 15 available to her; if she will give the terms of reference of the study; and if the results of the study will be available to all those interested.
In August last, I decided to engage independent consultants to review the case for a second level school in the Castleknock area of Dublin 15. The study is at an advanced stage and the final report and recommendations will be available shortly.
The precise terms of reference of the study are as follows: (1) the overall objective of the study is to determine whether a new post-primary school is required in the area and, if so, the required size and most appropriate location; (2) the study should determine: (i) current and projected birthrates on best estimates with due regard to anticipated developments in the area and population changes; (ii) current and projected — short term, medium-term and long term (i.e. up to 20 years hence) — outflow from primary schools in the areas; (iii) current patterns of flows from primary schools in the area to post-primary schools in the area and elsewhere; (iv) current and projected capacities of existing schools in the area as against projected needs; (v) the extent of any shortfall in available places within the existing school capacity, based on the projected needs over the near to longer term; (vi) correspondingly, whether a new school is required, when it will be required, and its required size in the short to longer term, or whether alternative options are available; (vii) the appropriate location of such a school having regard to relative population densities and locations of existing schools; (viii) the Minister will make the study results publicly available.
