Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
61. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provision that will be included in the capital plan regarding school facilities and increased capacity to reflect the increased development in view of the extensive land rezoning in the mid-east region and the large development proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
My Department is included among the prescribed bodies to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development and local area plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment and observations. This enables local authorities to reserve future school sites in areas designated for proposed housing development.
My Department’s 6 Year Capital Programme prioritises building projects for areas where there is increased demography. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed.
All school planning areas nationwide are being kept under ongoing review by my Department. This review takes account of updated data from CSO, enrolment and child benefit data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to schools in these areas.
