Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
234. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied that there will be enough post-primary school places available in the school planning area covering the Dublin 17 area; the planning which is currently taking place in this school planning area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46642/22]
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, 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 Dublin 17 area is managed under the Beaumont_Coolock SPA and the Donaghemede_Howth SPA.
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 local authorities 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.
The following capital projects will provide additional accommodation in these identified SPAs as follows:
Beaumont_Cooloock SPA:
- Ellenfield Community College– Major project to deliver 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base, at project brief stage. (Project Brief stage includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation)
Donaghmede_Howth SPA
- Belmayne ETSS– Design & Build Project, this will deliver a 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base, the project is currently at Stage 4. (Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site). The school opened in 2019 in interim accommodation.
- Gaelcholaiste Reachrann – New replacement school building to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 600 pupils – project at stage 3. (Stage 3 is the instruction for the project to proceed to Tender).
- St Fintan’s High School – Extension and Refurbishment to cater for a long term projected enrolment of 750 pupils - at project brief stage. (Project Brief includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
- Grange Community College – Project to deliver a long term projected enrolment for 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base, at project brief stage. (Project Brief includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
My Department is satisfied that demand in the Beaumont_Coolock school planning area and the Donaghemede_Howth school planning area can be accommodated by the existing and planned schools in the area.
