Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Education. It provides me with the opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to the accommodation needs of Blessington Community College.

A major capital project for Blessington Community College is being addressed through the Department’s construction programme. As the Deputy is aware, this project is currently at stage 2b of the architectural planning process. That is where the detailed design takes place, planning permission and other statutory approvals are secured and tender documents are prepared. It is fair to say that to increase the total capacity of the school to 650 pupils, plus two special classes, is a major extension. That is obviously of interest to me in my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for special education. The school and the patron have requested an increase in the proposed size of the school to 1,000 pupils. My understanding is that that is under active consideration by the Department and would include an associated increase in special class provision. I hear what the Deputy is saying when she outlines the anticipated figures into the future. The school had around 479 pupils in 2018, and as the Deputy said, there are now 627 pupils. I note the projections she is making into the future.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, GIS, 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. Current and planned residential development activity, as well as Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets, additionally inform the Department’s forecasts of school place needs. In its planning ahead for 2023, the Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding in order to support the operation of the school system with roll-out of school building projects to construction in 2023. Blessington Community College is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of the process. I understand that the Department will be in further contact with Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board, KWETB, in relation to the college itself. The Department is currently considering the long-term capacity requirements in the Blessington area, taking existing demographics into account, as well as future and current residential developments. Schools that are being built need to take into account the longer term needs of an area and the immediate school requirements. I understand that the officials will continue to engage with KWETB in this regard. A solution to address the school's accommodation needs is also being progressed. The Department has been working with KWETB to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation in place to meet the interim needs of the school, pending the delivery of the main project.

Specifically on the Minister of State's query around temporary accommodation, I understand that additional modular accommodation was approved. However, concerns were raised by the patron, the board of management and the architects that as the site is restricted, the installation of additional accommodation would hinder the permanent school build. Following a meeting with the Department, the school reviewed its requirements and confirmed that the four refurbished existing prefabs and the two prefabs from another patron owned site would be sufficient until the delivery of the first phase of the permanent accommodation.

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