Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
449. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the process for setting up a new school; the way in which a particular area is identified; the timelines in place to ensure a timely delivery of a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44945/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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. Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
Where 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, since April 2018, the Government has announced plans for the establishment of 47 new schools over the 4 year period 2019 to 2022.
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 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 Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) has been developed by my Department to provide objective information to parents and guardians which will allow them to make an informed choice in expressing a preference for their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction i.e. Irish or English for their child’s education.
The timeline for delivering the permanent accommodation for a new school varies as it is subject to a range of factors such as identifying and acquiring a suitable site, designing the school and engaging with relevant local authority in preparation for an application for planning permission, planning process including in some cases appeals to An Bord Pleanála, tendering for and constructing the school. Following the announcement of a new school and while planning and delivery of permanent accommodation for the school is progressing arrangements are made for suitable interim accommodation to be provided pending the delivery of the permanent accommodation.
