Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Departmental Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Ceisteanna (360)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

360. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of meetings officials from his Department have had with Kildare County Council in the past five years regarding the provision of schools for south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15422/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department works closely with local authorities in respect of the provision of schools generally.

In the first instance, my Department is included among the prescribed bodies to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft local area and development plans or proposed variations to plans for comment and observations. This enables local authorities to identify potential future school sites and to develop phasing strategies where relevant.

In order to plan for such future school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. This system uses data from a range of sources. Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, 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 schools

- Provision of a new school or schools.

Where the requirement for a new school is established, my Department engages with the relevant local authority under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Minister for Education and Skills and the County and City Managers' Association on the acquisition of sites for school planning purposes. The MOU allows my Department to harness local authorities' long-standing experience and knowledge in respect of planning, property and acquisitions generally.

In the context of provision of schools for south County Kildare, there is ongoing engagement with Kildare County Council at a senior level in respect of current and future school site requirements. 

Barr
Roinn