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School Facilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021

Thursday, 1 July 2021

Ceisteanna (260, 261, 262)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she has been in a position to respond to requests for upgrading of accommodation at existing primary and second-level schools in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35730/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department have been in a position to respond to requests for upgraded additional school accommodation as identified by the various school authorities at primary and post-primary levels in County Kildare; the extent to which she can accelerate this programme with particular reference to the obvious need arising from demographics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35731/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she and her Department have been in a position to respond to requests for upgraded additional school accommodation as identified by the various school authorities at primary and post-primary levels throughout the country; the extent to which she can accelerate this programme with particular reference to the obvious need arising from demographics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35732/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 to 262, inclusive, together.

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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise.

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 local authority to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet increased demand.

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.

As the Deputy may be aware, since April 2018 the Government has announced 47 new schools to be established over a four year period (2019 - 2022).

For schools not on my Department's Capital Programme it is open to them to apply under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) where they consider they are in need of immediate accommodation to cater for increasing enrolments/demand for places.

The parameters of the Additional School Accommodation scheme allows for the provision of mainstream classroom accommodation only (this includes classrooms, specialist rooms e.g. Construction/Engineering together with Special Education Tuition rooms and a Special Educational Needs Base). The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The immediate priority of the Department is providing new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place.

The current NDP, as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework, provides for €8.8bn investment in schools during the period 2018 to 2027. The increased investment under the NDP has positioned the State to focus on adding capacity to cater for increased enrolments and demographic needs.

During the NDP period 2018-2020, there were 526 completed building projects under the Large Scale Capital Programme (LSCP) and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA). These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places, including permanent accommodation for 229 special classes; and additional capacity for 67 classrooms in 14 special schools throughout the country. 17 of these projects delivered were in County Kildare.

The Department has a significant existing pipeline of projects to be delivered over the coming years to meet capacity needs managed under the Large Scale Capital Programme and the Additional School Accommodation scheme. 51 of these projects are in County Kildare. 30 of these projects are on the Large Scale Capital Programme and 21 projects are being delivered under the Additional Accommodation scheme.

The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on the Department of Education and Skill’s website at www.education.ie and updated regularly.

Question No. 261 answered with Question No. 260.
Question No. 262 answered with Question No. 260.
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