Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As the Leas-Chathaoirleach correctly said, I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. She sends her apologies for her inability to attend this morning.

I thank the Senator for raising the matter, which provides me with an opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to secondary school places in Kildare. In order to plan for school provision and to analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department of Education divides the country into 314 school planning areas and it uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including child benefit and school enrolment data. This is to identify where the pressures for school places across the country will arise, as well as where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Where data indicate that additional provision is required at primary or post-primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case. It may be provided through either one or a combination of the following: utilisation of existing unused capacity within a school or schools; extending the capacity of a school or schools; and the provision of a new school or schools.

As the Senator is aware, the Department is progressing a number of building projects in south Kildare under the national development plan. The most significant project in terms of planned additional capacity is a new 1,000-pupil school building for the Curragh post-primary school, which will also provide four classrooms for pupils with special educational needs. Agreement in principle has been reached on a permanent site for the school. The Department, in conjunction with the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board as school patron, is working to put modular accommodation in place on the site in 2023, which is welcome news. This will provide for significant additional capacity in the area. There are additional projects at Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen, Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, and Ard Scoil Rath Iomgháin, Rathangan. The Department is additionally considering the accommodation needs of Holy Family Secondary School in Newbridge and St. Conleth’s Community College in Newbridge.

Nevertheless, I wish to advise the Senator that the Department of Education is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas, including in south Kildare. However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation, but may be driven by the following factors. The issue of duplication of applications arises when people have applied for a place in a number of schools in the area, as often happens. The issue of school of choice arises whereby pupils cannot get a place in a preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town or area. Some towns or areas have single-sex schools and, while places are available in the school, they are not available to all pupils. There is also the issue of external draw, which refers to pupils coming from outside the local area. The Department has frequent engagement with the patrons and principals of all the schools in the area, with a view to achieving a clarity on the position in respect of post-primary schools space requirements.

At the Department’s request, and with the support of patrons, schools compared enrolments and waiting lists in order to identify duplication and local requirements. This engagement identified a significant number of schools and waiting lists at a number of schools in the area. However, the Department is aware of available places at St. Conleth’s Community College. The Department is additionally being engaged with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board in respect to potential solutions. Additional provision should be there for those places to be filled. I can assure the Senator that the Department of Education will continue to work closely with the relevant patrons in respect of the post-primary school enrolment position in south Kildare. This is focused on ensuring the start of the 2022-23 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all the school students.

In conclusion, I want to thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity. I recognise the challenges that are there consistently across the country. The Department takes a proactive stance in trying to address these needs at a local level, in partnership with the schools.