Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 118: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of new primary schools that will be needed in west Dublin to cater for the estimated population growth over the next 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40150/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In relation to forward planning in areas of rapid growth, the process of assessing the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing schools is also an important part of the process, as the school authorities would usually alert the Department where, in their view, the need for additional accommodation is anticipated. In this way, every effort is made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision, or that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity or provide new infrastructure where necessary.

Over and above the statutory consultation provisions in relation to local authority draft area development plans, the Department has in recent years worked to strengthen contacts with local authorities to enable informed decisions to be made in planning future educational provision.

On top of this, the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects, which were revised following consultation with the Education Partners, targets school projects in rapidly developing areas by assigning them a band 1 rating which is the highest priority possible. Innovations in the delivery of school buildings such as Generic Repeat Designs and use of the Design and Build model ensure that new school buildings are delivered in the fastest timeframe possible. This is clear evidence of the Department's commitment to ensuring that the needs of rapidly developing areas are met as quickly as possible.

School Planning Section is also working proactively with some local authorities on the possibility of the development of school provision in tandem with the development of community facilities. A practical output from this approach is an innovative partnership with Fingal County Council. Under the terms of the agreement and based on the Department's school planning projections, Fingal County Council will identify and acquire appropriate sites where schools with enhanced sporting, community and arts facilities will be built to the benefit of both the school and the wider community. In practice, the Local Authority will identify the sites when adopting their Local Area Plans. The Council will go on to acquire sufficient land as recommended by the Department on which an appropriate sized school or schools for that local area can then be built. In an area such as west Dublin, the Department continually monitors the demand for primary education and takes a decision to purchase reserved sites and construct new schools as the need is determined.