Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
420. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the aggregate capacity of secondary schools in the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf catchment area; and the extent to which it exceeds current enrolment. [26174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra421. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary schools in the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school catchment area which are mixed and non-denominational; and the capacity of each school. [26175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that 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.
The level of increased demand in school planning areas with an increasing requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision.
There are 7 post primary schools in the Killester, Raheny, Clontarf School Planning Area.
- Two of these are mixed schools, one whose ethos is Church Of Ireland and one whose ethos is Catholic.
- One is a boys school whose ethos is Catholic.
- Four are girls schools whose ethos is Catholic.
While the implementation of enrolment policies and publication of annual admissions notices is a matter for each of the school authorities, my Department is projecting 2028 as the peak enrolment year for post primary schools in the Killester, Raheny, Clontarf School Planning Area with 4,087 places required. This compares to September 2021 aggregate enrolment of 3,789 post primary pupils in the school planning area.
Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area
- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area.
- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils
- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area
Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action in addition to that already in train.
A number of school building projects are progressing or proposed in the School Planning Area referred to by the Deputy as outlined below:
- St Paul's College Raheny RN 60290B. A project has been approved in July 2020 for 2 Construction rooms and a prep room, 1 music room, 1 Home Economic rooms, 2 Art rooms, 3 Project stores and a 2 Class SEN Base.
- Ard Scoil La Salle Raheny RN 60291D. A project has been approved in April 2022 for 1 music room and a 2 Class SEN base.
- Mount Temple Comprehensive School RN81002K. A major building project for a new school building to cater for 1,000 pupils and a 2 Class SEN Base.
