Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)

Schools Building Projects

11:00 am

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department's capital programme continues to address the challenge posed by a rapidly increasing school population. To meet this challenge, my Department's capital investment programme for 2016 to 2021 details the school projects that are being progressed to meet this need. The capital programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Since 2015, three new primary schools, namely, Pelletstown Educate Together national school, Scoil Sinéad national school and Broombridge Educate Together national school, have been established in the areas referred to by the Deputy to meet demographic growth. The six-year construction programme also includes building projects at five further schools in the area, namely, Mary Help of Christians national school, St. John Bosco junior and senior boys' national schools, North Dublin Muslim school and Holy Family school for the deaf.

While there was no requirement for a new post-primary school in the area referred to by the Deputy, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school opened in September 2017 in temporary accommodation in the adjoining school planning area of Carpenterstown-Castleknock. Nationwide demographic exercises for all school planning areas at primary and post-primary level, including the area referred to by the Deputy, are ongoing.

The outcome will determine where additional school accommodation will be needed in the future. It is anticipated that decisions based on this exercise will be announced shortly.

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