School Enrolments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Ceisteanna (270)

Réada Cronin

Ceist:

270. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education for an update on the urgently awaited news of school places for children in Kilcock; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19285/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for my Department.

In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in Kilcock, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures 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 they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places at primary and post primary level in Kilcock. Engagement is ongoing with schools and patrons with a view to making increased provision where necessary. It is expected that these places will become available imminently.