Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she and her Department continue to assess the educational requirements in Maynooth, County Kildare with particular reference to primary and second level schools and accommodation and An Gaelcholáiste; if any particular trends have been noted with a view to addressing these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58664/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
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 2022 demographic exercise indicates that that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021 (i.e., SPAs which have passed peak or have growth of less than 20 pupils out to 2026). At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.
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 annual demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
- 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 most recent projections for the Maynooth School Planning Area indicate a slight increase in requirements at both primary and post primary level in the short term followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity. Additionally, the Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across these school planning areas.
There are a number of capital projects planned in the Maynooth school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area as follows:
Presentation Girls Primary School (Roll Number 00779U) Brief ; 4 classrooms, 3 Special Education Teaching rooms, reconfiguration to provide Early Intervention Unit . Stage 1 (Stage 1 is the Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief).
Maynooth BNS (Roll Number 17341U) Brief; 24 Classroom School + 2 Special Education Needs base at Stage 4 (Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site).
Gaelscoil Ruairí (Roll Number 20527F) Brief; 8 Classroom school + 2 classroom Special Education Needs Base. Stage 2B (Stage 2B is the Developed Design & Lodgement of Planning Permission).
Gael Coláiste Mhaigh Nuad (Roll Number 76554W) Brief; 350 pupil school + 2 Classroom Special Education Needs Base- Project Brief Stage (Project Brief stage - this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
Recently completed capital projects :
Maynooth Community College (Roll Number 76193Q) Brief ; 1000 pupil school + 2 Classroom Special Education Needs Base. Stage 5 - December 2020 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
Maynooth Post Primary School (Roll Number 70700A) Brief; - 1,000 pupil school + 2 Classroom Special Education Needs Base. Stage 5 - December 2020 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
Maynooth ETNS (Roll Number 20292E) Brief ; 16 Classroom School + Special Education Needs Class. Stage 5 - May 2021 (Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management).
