Written answers

Wednesday, 7 June 2006

Department of Education and Science

School Accommodation

9:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the planning which is in place to ensure sufficient second level places in schools in Swords, County Dublin; the discussions, she has had with the management of the school following the queueing over days by parents; the number attending each of the second level schools in Swords; the application numbers for September 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21634/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on existing applications within her Department from a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will respond to same. [21700/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the demand from parents in the Swords catchment area for their children to be educated at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin, she will initiate discussions with the school authority with a view to extending the school and therefore increasing its capacity. [21702/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 353, 369 and 370 together.

Officials in the School Planning Section of my Department have not been made aware of any shortage of places in post-primary provision in Swords.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking second level places. This may result in pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

Swords is an area of population growth and while there may be a demand in future years for additional provision at postprimary level, the Department is satisfied that, between them, the four existing postprimary schools have adequate provision to cater for current demand.

Officials in the School Planning Section of my Department are carrying out a review of educational needs in the North Dublin/East Meath/South Louth area (including Swords) by way of a Draft Area Development Plan. The need for additional future post primary provision in Swords is being considered in this context.

The Draft Plan is nearing completion and will be published shortly. Following this, a public consultation process will be conducted by the Commission on School Accommodation. The process will culminate in a final Area Development Plan which will provide a blueprint for educational infrastructure in the area for the next decade including the need or otherwise to provide additional post primary school provision in Swords.

The school referred to by the Deputy has an application with my Department for Major Capital funding. The application, which is for ancillary accommodation and not to increase the capacity of the school, has been assessed in accordance with the prioritisation criteria which have been agreed with the education partners and will be considered in the context of the overall educational plan for the Swords area.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans which are in place to increase the number of places in national schools in Skerries, Balbriggan and Lusk, County Dublin, in view of the increasing populations in these villages and towns; if she is satisfied that the places needed in September 2006 will be sufficient to accommodate the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21635/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that there is extensive housing development and population increase in the Skerries, Balbriggan and Lusk areas of Fingal County and that this has led to increased demand for school places.

Officials in the School Planning Section of my Department have already approved the provision of additional classroom accommodation for primary schools in Balbriggan, Skerries and Lusk to cater for additional teaching appointments for September 2006.

A new 16 classroom school for Balbriggan Educate Together was recently announced to progress to architectural planning.

In September, 2005, I announced the provision of a new 1,000 pupil post primary school for Balbriggan.

This will be delivered by way of a Public Private Partnership under the School Building and Modernisation Programme 2005-2009.

Officials in the School Planning Section of my Department are carrying out a review of educational needs in the North Dublin/East Meath/South Louth area (including the areas mentioned by the Deputy) by way of a Draft Area Development Plan. The need for additional future primary and post primary provision in these areas is being considered in this context.

The Draft Plan is nearing completion and will be published shortly. Following this, a public consultation process will be conducted by the Commission on School Accommodation. The process will culminate in a final Area Development Plan which will provide a blueprint for educational infrastructure in the area for the next decade including the need to provide additional school provision in Balbriggan, Lusk and Skerries.

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