Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, who is regrettably unavailable.

I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it provides the Minister with the opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to school places in the Kildare and Newbridge area for the school year 2022-23. The Senator mentioned the lack of progress on the issue. In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department of Education divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system. It collates 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 levels.

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 and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following: utilising 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.

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 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. There may be a duplication of applications, where pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area. There can be issues around the school of choice, where pupils cannot get a place in their preferred school but there are places in other schools in the town or area. Some towns and areas have single-sex schools, and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils. External draw is another relevant factor, with pupils coming from outside the local area.

The Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities and patrons. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies and school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

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 Curragh Post Primary School. Following an extensive site identification, assessment and negotiation process, agreement in principle, subject to contract, has been reached for the acquisition by the Department of a permanent school site in Kildare town to provide a replacement school for the Curragh Post Primary School. The site will accommodate 1,000 pupils and will include a four-classroom special education needs unit. The new school will cater for the increased demographic growth at post-primary level due to occur in the Kildare south region over the coming years, the majority of which is projected to occur in Kildare town.

The location of this 8-acre greenfield site is next to two existing primary schools, Kildare Town Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha, within the grounds of the former Magee Barracks, Kildare town. The development of the post-primary school on this site will enhance the education facilities available to the Curragh Post Primary School and the existing primary schools in a new educational campus arrangement. Due to commercial sensitivities, it is not possible to provide further information at this time. This will provide for significant additional capacity in the area.