Written answers

Tuesday, 17 December 2019

Department of Education and Skills

School Admissions

Photo of Malcolm ByrneMalcolm Byrne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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218. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the shortage of second-level school places in Gorey, County Wexford at present and over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53158/19]

Photo of Malcolm ByrneMalcolm Byrne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the shortage of second-level school places in Wexford town at present and over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53159/19]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

The Wexford school planning area which is currently served by five post-primary schools. Loreto College, Wexford which formed part of the Schools Bundle 5 PPP project, was completed in August 2018 and provides for 900 post-primary places. My Department also recently approved a grant to a post-primary school in Wexford town to provide an additional mainstream classroom and science lab and this project has been devolved to the school for delivery.

The Gorey school planning area is currently served by two post-primary schools, including a 1,000 pupil post-primary school established in 2011 with some 820 pupils enrolled in the current school year.

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 information 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.

Where 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.

In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the four year period 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.

While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school for the Wexford or Gorey school planning areas, the requirement for new schools will be kept under review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly.

Photo of Brendan  RyanBrendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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220. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of his announcement in relation to a school (details supplied) during his visit to the school on 21 November 2019; and if his announcement will result in additional places being available beyond the planned intake of 180 in September 2020. [53162/19]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in relation to the school to which he refers, my Department has approved funding for a permanent extension consisting of 3 general classrooms, 3 SET rooms/offices, a science laboratory and preparation area, an art room, and toilets.  This funding is being provided under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme 2019.

I can also inform the Deputy that, pending the delivery of this permanent extension, my Department has also approved interim temporary accommodation consisting of 3 mainstream classrooms with toilets along with the conversion of an existing space to create a science laboratory. This accommodation will be in place for September 2020.

The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and, in particular, will have regard to the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

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