Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
142. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) has secured recognition from his Department; the location of the school; and the proposed enrolment levels and the relationship with a college (details supplied). [14401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently seven post-primary schools serving the Lucan school planning area.
Demographic data for this area and the surrounding school planning areas overall, indicates that demand for post-primary pupil places over the last number of years has increased and is projected to grow considerably over the next number of years to peak in 2025. This indicates that the level of pupil intake at post-primary level in Lucan is likely to continue at or close to the current level and therefore it was deemed prudent by my Department to plan additional provision in the Lucan school planning area on this basis.
As a result of the patronage assessment process for the nine new post-primary schools due to open in September 2017 and September 2018, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB), with Scoil Sinead Ltd as Trustee Partner, was appointed as patron of the new 1,000 pupil non-designated Community College to serve the Lucan school planning area.
As part of this process, the parental demand submitted in support of each patron’s application was assessed and in this regard I am satisfied that the level of parental demand for a post-primary school for the Lucan area supports a viable school which will not displace pupils from existing schools.
It is intended that the permanent site for the school will be located in the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone area. Officials in my Department are currently engaging with officials in South Dublin County Council in this regard. The school will open in suitable interim accommodation in September 2017 as scheduled pending completion of construction of its permanent building.
The 1,000 pupil post-primary school, Kishoge Community College, opened in 2014 to cater for the increase in demand for post-primary provision in the Lucan area identified by my Department. This school is currently in its third year of operation and the establishment of the new Community College this September is intended to enhance provision at post-primary level within the Lucan area. It is my Departments view that the establishment of the new school will not impact on the future development of Kishoge Community College.
