Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the school building programme to meet the requirements in full throughout the country; if she envisages the need to make any special provisions in sensitive areas affected by demographic demand or old buildings in need of urgent replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45601/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has a strong and ambitious rollout of projects under the school building programme to support the operation of the school system particularly in terms of additional capacity requirements.

During the NDP period 2018-2020, there were 526 completed building projectsunder the Large Scale Capital Programme and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places, including permanent accommodation for 229 special classesand additional capacity for 67 classrooms in 14 special schoolsthroughout the country.

There are also currently some 250 school building projects on site many of which will be completed in 2022.

The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.

Enrolments and the demand for school places are kept under constant review. For that reason, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographic Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity in order to anticipate school place demand and identify capacity requirement priorities which will necessitate action. The assessment is additionally informed by close engagement with school patrons and the local authorities. This strategic planning for school accommodation needs is important in the context of ensuring alignment with the Government’s Housing for All Plan.

While much progress has been made to date, the continued modernisation of school facilities will be a priority for my Department under the forthcoming revised NDP to 2030. This increased focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock will be further to the continued increase of school capacity to keep pace with demographic demand including provision for Special Education Needs.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay in submitting the planning application until Q1 2022; when permanent road infrastructure will be constructed, including a footpath and cycleway to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45627/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The project to provide the permanent building for the school referred to by the Deputy is in early architectural planning which involves site surveys, school design stages and the preparation of statutory applications.

As with all school building projects, pre-planning meetings are required with the Local Authority in advance of preparing a Planning Application. This is to ensure the highest probability of a successful planning application in the shortest time possible. A considerable amount of work is required following the pre-planning meeting to prepare a suitably detailed application.

At the pre-planning meeting for the interim accommodation currently on the site, the Local Authority made it clear that the planning application for the permanent accommodation must be cognisant of the overall Shannon Homes Masterplan for the area. Discussions have been ongoing between my Department and Shannon Homes Ltd. in relation to the overall plan for the area. The Shannon Homes Masterplan for the area has been received by my Department and a planning application is being prepared for the additional interim accommodation which the school will require for the 2022/23 academic year.

The permanent road infrastructure, including a footpath and cycleway to the school, is to be constructed by the vendor as a condition of sale of the land. This infrastructure is to be provided on a phased basis in conjunction with the development of the temporary and permanent school facilities.