Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a school development plan for Waterford city and county to adapt to the growing needs for school places in line with population trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15573/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide, demographic exercises carried out by my Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.

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.

While the announcement did not include a new school for Waterford, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area.  This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development, including additional residential developments arising from the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF). As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the school planning areas in Waterford is being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated data. 

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is included among the prescribed bodies to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development and local area plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment and observations. This enables local authorities to reserve future school sites in areas designated for proposed housing development. My Department is currently engaged with the Waterford City and County Council in relation to population development around the Waterford City area.

My Department’s capital programme prioritises building projects for areas where significant additional school places are required. Details of the current status of the 5 major school projects (primary and post-primary) in County Waterford that are included on the capital programme may be viewed on my Department’s website .