School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

Ceisteanna (256)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

256. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the school catchment area in which Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, is located; the primary and secondary schools in the catchment area; the nature of each school; if a location such as this directly adjoining and integrated with other urban school catchments can be accommodated in getting access to schools in neighbouring catchments in cases in which they would otherwise be considered as of lower priority. [46972/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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 area of Clonshaugh, Dublin 17 is located in the Darndale_D17 school planning area.

There are five primary schools located in the Darndale_D17 school planning area:-

Roll Number	School Name	School Type	School Gender_	Ethos Religion
17104G	St Francis Junior National School	Ordinary	Mixed Schools	Catholic
19454U	Darndale NS Junior	Ordinary	Mixed Schools	Catholic
19524P	Our Lady Immac Sen NS	Ordinary with Special Classes	Mixed Schools	Catholic
19668Q	St Francis Senior NS	Ordinary with Special Classes	Mixed Schools	Catholic
19913D	St Joseph’s NS	Ordinary with Special Classes	Mixed Schools	Catholic

As there is no post primary school serving the Darndale_D17 school planning area pupils are accommodated in the adjacent school planning areas. Current projections indicate that enrolments are projected to increase in the Portmarnock, Whitehall_SantryD9 and Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning areas in the short-term and to remain stable in Beaumont_CoolockD5 school planning area. My Department is satisfied that demand in 2022 can be accommodated by the existing schools in this areas.

This Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

My Department will keep the pace of delivery of additional residential development in the identified school planning areas, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data under continuous review. The Department will also, continue to liaise with the local authority in respect of their Development Plans and Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.