Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline plans for new primary and secondary school developments in Limerick city in order to support the steep population growth targeted for the city under the national planning framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5225/23]

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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This is a timely question in light of the news in the past few days the 26 children in Limerick are without places at secondary school. I acknowledge the efforts of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, the Department and the Minister in trying to resolve this. Could the Minister outline the plans for new primary and secondary school developments in Limerick city to support the steep population growth targeted for the city under the national planning framework and make a statement on the matter?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes the 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 and school enrolment data, in addition to 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.

As part of the Department's commitment to the national planning framework, as part of Project Ireland 2040, and with the objective of ensuring appropriate educational provision for future populations, my Department engages proactively with the 31 local authorities in the development of their statutory plans. In the context of Limerick city, my Department has had regular engagement with Limerick City and County Council through the development and adoption of its development plan for the period 2022 to 2028. This has allowed my Department to plan for projected population growth of 30,000 people in Limerick city over the course of the development plan and in the context of projected overall population growth of over 50,000 in the city by 2040.

However, it is important to note that the impact of population growth on school place requirements is mitigated by changing demographic trends. Despite projected national population growth, the number of primary students is forecast to reduce by 100,000 over the next decade. While post-primary enrolments are expected to peak in 2024, they are forecast to decline by 70,000 over the subsequent ten years.

The impact on school places of the projected population growth in Limerick city is being considered in that context, with a view to identifying any further accommodation solutions required to meet the capacity requirements. However, as I know the Deputy is aware, it is important to note that my Department is already delivering significant additional capacity at schools in the city as part of its capital programme.

Under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion in capital investment over the period 2021 to 2025. There will be a rolling five-year funding envelope, which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government's overall national development plan funding envelope of €136 billion in Exchequer capital – €165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer capital. This will facilitate the building of modern and sustainable school infrastructure.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I welcome the Minister's answer. I want to dig into it a little and talk about the national planning framework and Project Ireland 2040, a very positive plan that we are following. There is to be a statutory review of the plan next year, as I understand it. In the case of Limerick, we can see that what is actually happening and what is projected under the national planning framework are misaligned.

We must think about planning our city in a manner that moves away from what is known in transport, education and other sectors that invest in major infrastructure as the predict-and-provide model and looks towards using infrastructure to induce growth and development in the right places. Where schools are built, the population follows, as we have seen throughout history. I want to dig into this a little more. I would be very interested in meeting the staff in the unit in the Department that examines demographics and the siting of new schools if the Minister could facilitate it.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's initial point was on the provision of places for pupils in Limerick. Specifically on that issue, recently over 100 additional places have been provided in Limerick, 44 of which have been provided in recent weeks. There is a school in a position to make provision for the 26 pupils the Deputy referred to. Principals on the ground, particularly the chair of the Limerick Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, have confirmed they are confident the 26 pupils will be provided for in existing accommodation.

Specifically on the commitment to Limerick city, I want to take the opportunity to outline significant developments there. These include two newly established 1,000-pupil post-primary schools, namely Mungret Community College and Limerick Educate Together Secondary School, both of which are currently in construction. New school buildings providing additional capacity are planned for Laurel Hill Secondary School, Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Ardscoil Mhuire and Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, while there are extensions planned at Coláiste Mhichíl and Castletroy College. There is significant work ongoing.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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Indeed, there are very significant developments under way. We welcome them in Limerick. They point to a future for the city in which the population is rebalanced back towards the centre. The Minister mentioned Laurel Hill and Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. The latter is a very exciting project in my locality and we hope it will be open very soon. Construction is going very well.

When it comes to locating new schools, we must be careful not to build on the edges of urban areas continually. Doing so exacerbates the sprawl that has left us in the very car-dependent society we have. The Gaelcholáiste is an exception to that. The Minister should consider other school developments in Limerick that are good in many ways but that will not address the sprawl we see in our towns and cities. It is critical, from a climate perspective, that we get the location of schools right. Will it be possible for me to meet the staff in the unit that examines the demographics in and plans new schools for Limerick? I would appreciate that.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have an issue with that. I appreciate the Deputy's graciousness in accepting that there has been considerable investment in Limerick city. I have had the privilege of witnessing much of the work. I visited on several occasions.

I referred to post-primary schools but developments at primary level are equally important. At primary level, a project for a new 32-classroom school building for Monaleen National School is planned. Gaelscoil Sheoirse and St. Mary's National School both have major refurbishment projects under way. Projects for new school buildings for both Red Hill School and St. Vincent's Special School are also in train. In total, there are 32 schools building projects in Limerick at various stages of planning and delivery. That represents a significant investment and testament to the Department's confidence in what is happening in Limerick city and county.

The Department will continue to work to advance planned and current projects in Limerick city. I acknowledge the holistic view the Department takes with regard to location and meeting demographic needs. We will continue to do that.