Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He is right in saying it is an important issue, one of which the Department is aware, and it needs resolving. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who cannot be here today as she is attending some meetings down the country.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to remind the House of the significant challenges facing us in terms of meeting increasing demand for pupil places throughout the country in the coming years as well as clarifying the position in regard to the provision of school places in Kilcock, County Kildare. We had a debate on foot of other parliamentary questions in recent days regarding the additional funding that has been won for education which has nearly all been swallowed up by the increasing numbers with the change in demographics, and extra places are needed across all the levels of education.

The Deputy will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. Nationwide, the Department expects that it will be required to provide some 152,000 extra primary and post-primary school places in the coming years. It is vital therefore that there is sufficient school accommodation available to cope with these pupil enrolments to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. To meet the needs of our growing population of school-going children, the Department must establish new schools as well as extend or replace a number of existing schools in areas where demographic growth has been identified. The delivery of these new schools, together with extension projects to meet future demand, will be the main focus of the Department's budget for the coming years.

While the Department would be seeking to provide additional accommodation to meet demographic growth, it would also aim to ensure maximum use of existing school accommodation. A priority therefore for the Department is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places and that there is sufficient overall capacity. This may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

The Department has recently completed a nationwide demographic review to determine where additional primary school places might be needed from 2015 onwards. On foot of this review, it has been determined that there is no additional primary educational infrastructural needs in Kilcock beyond that recently delivered or already planned and in train to meet the area's needs. The Department is not in a position to duplicate provision in any area when it has a requirement to provide some 152,000 extra school places nationwide over the coming years.

Gaelscoil Uí Riada, which was constructed by the Department at a cost of €4.2 million, is recognised by the Department as a two-stream national school. Its annual intake comprises two junior infant classes and grows incrementally each year to sixth class. As a once-off arrangement, the patron approved an intake of a third junior infant class for the 2014-15 school year only. This once-off arrangement was pending the outcome of the patron's proposal that the boys' and girls' schools in Kilcock, St. Joseph's and Clochar na Naofa, would offer co-education. The proposal originated from parental demand for co-education in Kilcock and followed consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders locally, including parents and school staff. The co-educational arrangement will commence next September and the Department understands that St. Joseph's and Clochar na Naofa have initiated the enrolment process for September 2015. All these schools in Kilcock will therefore offer co-education from 2015 onwards.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that the Department is in contact with the patron of the three schools in Kilcock in regard to enrolments for the forthcoming school year. The Department understands that the patron is consulting directly with the schools concerned relating to the enrolment matters raised. The Department will continue to liaise with the patron, which has ultimate responsibility for the governance and management of the schools concerned.

The Deputy has asked for a specific meeting. I can discuss that with the Minister and see if the Department considers there is the need for that to happen. There was a sense with the engagement with the patrons and across the board that matters were beginning to move. However, I will convey the Deputy's recommendation to the Minister and see if that needs to be arranged.

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