Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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870. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to establish a new post-primary school in the Donaghmede, Howth, Baldoyle, Stapolin and Dublin 13 school planning area; when the patronage of the proposed new school in this area will be finalised; when the school can enrol pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14675/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.  Donaghmede_Howth_D13 is one school planning area and includes Baldoyle and Stapolin.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may 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. 

Following such analysis, in 2018 it was announced that two new post primary schools would be established to serve the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area.  The first of these, Belmayne ETSS, opened in 2019.  The second new post primary school is due to be established in 2022.

A process to determine the patronage of this school will commence in the coming months.  An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) is utilised for this purpose and this provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school.  A prospective patron can choose the school(s) it wishes to apply for and complete an application form in that regard for each school, for submission to my Department.  The Department provides details on the OPPS of the school(s) and the list of applicant patrons which have applied for patronage of the school(s).  Parents access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction (where applicable).  Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process. 

The patronage process for new schools is overseen by an external independent advisory group, the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG).  Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.  The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.

The appointed patron of the new school will make the necessary arrangements to facilitate enrolments.