Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
323. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education her plans for a second-level school at a location (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the concern of the local community in respect of this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, 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, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Citywest is located in the Tallaght school planning area.
Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may 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.
Following such an analysis, a new post primary school (Coláiste Pobail Fóla) was established to serve the Tallaght & Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas as a regional solution in 2020.
In relation to this school, the final Notification to Grant Planning Permission was received in March 2021 from South Dublin County Council and the school building project is currently at tender preparation stage. It is intended that the project will be tendered in Quarter 4 2021.
