Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy again, in the interests of context, that 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 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, including Dundalk, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at either primary or post-primary level.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. We are conscious of that. In that regard, as part of the annual demographic exercises, the Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. The most recent analysis undertaken by the Department indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level, 74% of school planning areas 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.

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 capacity, extending capacity, or through the provision of a new school or schools.

The expansion of existing schools is typically delivered by means of my Department's additional school accommodation, ASA, scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs is provided. It is open to all school authorities to make an application for additional accommodation through the ASA scheme. Based on analysis of school place requirements, in recent years my Department approved ASA scheme applications by St. Vincent's Secondary School and De La Salle College in Dundalk to provide additional mainstream capacity as well as increased provision for students with special educational needs. That has been provided for and the projects are under way. I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no current record of an application for additional accommodation from Ó Fiaich College. The Department will continue to work to advance current projects and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements in Dundalk, both for the coming academic year and into the future.

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