Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a more central location can be found for the new Educate Together primary school in the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school planning area; if he will make stronger submissions in respect of planning applications for residential developments insisting that land be made available for school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2685/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that a permanent site option for the new Killester/Raheny/Clontarf ETNS has been identified and it is in the school planning area.

The zoning of land is a matter for the relevant planning authorities and while my Department is a prescribed body with whom planning authorities are statutorily obliged to consult in respect of the making or variation of Development Plans, there is no requirement for consultation in respect of individual planning applications.  Rather, planning authorities are to have regard to relevant planning guidance including the 2008 Code of Practice “The Provision of Schools and the Planning System” and Planning Guidelines “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas” which provide for an assessment of existing schools’ capacity or the provision of new school facilities in tandem with the development.   It is important to note that the recent adoption of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region is going to inform the review of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.  The RSES identifies a future settlement hierarchy to be reflected in the Plans and  will require extensive engagement between the Planning authorities and the Department officials to ensure proper planning provision for schools and other education facilities.

Engagement between my officials and officials in the relevant Planning Authority in the context of its review of the Development Plan is underway and through this my Department aims to secure necessary provision to protect current and future educational requirements in the Planning Authority area. 

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it will be ensured that sites are made available for school buildings in an area (details supplied) having regard to the number of planning permissions granted for residential development in the district; if observations are submitted in respect of such planning applications; if the planning permissions are monitored by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2686/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The zoning of land is a matter for the relevant planning authorities and while my Department is a prescribed body with whom planning authorities are statutorily obliged to consult in respect of the making or variation of Development Plans, there is no requirement for consultation in respect of individual planning applications.  Rather, planning authorities are to have regard to relevant planning guidance including the 2008 Code of Practice “The Provision of Schools and the Planning System” and Planning Guidelines “Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas” which provide for an assessment of existing schools’ capacity or the provision of new school facilities in tandem with the development.   It is important to note that the recent adoption of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Region is going to inform the review of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.  The RSES identifies a future settlement hierarchy to be reflected in the Plans and  will require extensive engagement between the Planning authorities and the Department officials to ensure proper planning provision for schools and other education facilities.

However, it should be noted that the area to which the Deputy refers is the subject of a 2012 Local Area Plan which has been extended until 2022.  My Department engaged with the Planning Authority in the preparation of this LAP and identified school site requirements for which provision was made.  One such school site requirement was recently upheld in an An Bord Pleanála decision on a planning application which had proposed residential development on an area identified for future school needs.  My Department made a submission on the planning application and ABP's subsequent decision precluded the landowner from delivering the proposed development on the school site.

In addition, the 2018 announcement of new schools included two new schools, one primary, one post primary, in the area in question.  Sites have been identified for both schools and the projects for the delivery of the school accommodation are being progressed.