Written answers

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Department of Education and Skills

School Accommodation Provision

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide post-primary schools for an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11798/18]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, 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

- Provision of a new school or schools.

For school planning purposes, the Saggart and Citywest areas are located within the Tallaght and Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas.

Nationwide demographic exercises involving all school planning areas, including the Tallaght and Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning areas, which will determine where additional school accommodation will be needed in the future, are currently ongoing and this work is almost complete.

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a permanent location for schools (details supplied) has been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11799/18]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has agreed to acquire a property for the schools in question.  The conveyancing process to complete the acquisition is currently in the final stages.

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had discussions with the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, about the need for additional spaces, teachers and educational resources regarding the proposed direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare; and his plans to ensure the education needs of the residents will be met. [11801/18]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There has been ongoing engagment between my officials and RIA since the decision to open this centre in Lisdoonvarna. My officials have also been engaging with the local schools and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in relation education provision for asylum seekers accommodated in the centre. An official of my Department along with an official from RIA also met with the schools in Lisdoonvarna last week in relation to this matter.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.