Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:437. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for additional school places in Dublin 9 to meet increased demand. [14237/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 July 2020
Ceisteanna (437)
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.
Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
A new 16 classroom primary school (Gracepark ETNS) was established to serve the Drumcondra Marino Dublin 1 area in 2016 and is currently located in Dublin 9. In addition major building projects are planned for Rosmini Community School and Scoil Chaitriona Glasnevin Dublin 9 – which will provide a total capacity of 800 places between them at post-primary level.
The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard to the impact of the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.