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School Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2019

Wednesday, 12 June 2019

Ceisteanna (114)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

114. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to open a secondary school in the Togher and Lehenaghmore area of County Cork. [24465/19]

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Freagraí scríofa

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. 

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.

As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). 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 may be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future which can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools.

While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school for the areas referred to by the Deputy, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

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