Written answers

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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471. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is no secondary school for the three inner-city primary schools (details supplied); if this is due to the lack of a site; the process for these primary schools to secure a secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9739/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the schools to which he refers are in the Dublin_8 school planning area, which has five post primary schools.

In general, parents exercise choice regarding which school to apply to and where the school has places, the pupil should be admitted.

However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. This may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. The selection process, procedures and enrolment policy are the responsibility of the individual school authorities.

My Department has approved extension projects at two post primary schools in the Dublin_8 school planning area, including additional provision for pupils with special education needs.

In addition Sandymount ETSS RN 68305F was established as a regional solution to service Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8. The school will ultimately cater for 1,000 pupils with an enrolment of 216 in 2021. Although outside the school planning area, the newly established Harold's Cross ETSS is proximate to the schools referenced and a project to deliver a 1,000 pupil building for this school is in train.

Overall, under Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.

This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.

Approximately 1,200 school building projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction – most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period 2021 to 2025.

The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on a county by county basis on www.gov.ieand is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress through the various stages.

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