Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
155. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed new schools in west County Dublin in the new school building programme; the rationale underlining his plan in respect of demographic projections, future population growth and patronage mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including the following schools for the West County Dublin area:
- 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning area
- 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2021 to serve the Clondalkin_D22 school planning area
- 1,000 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas as a regional solution
- 800 pupil post-primary school to be established in 2020 to serve the Blanchardstown_West_D15 and BlanchardstownVge_D15 school planning areas as a regional solution
This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Based on the current analysis, this need can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools.
I have highlighted that the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for each patron, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.
The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG). Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) is currently being developed by my Department to provide objective information to all parents which will allow them to make an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage for their child’s education. Parental preferences are currently collected based on direct engagement with patron bodies.
