Written answers

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Education Policy

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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476. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to increase the availability of multi or non-denominational secondary school places in Dublin 9 and 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9788/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, my Department establishes and supports new schools where a demographic need for such a new school has been identified.

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.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. The New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) is an external independent advisory group which was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools. The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons.

An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) 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.

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, www.education.ie, or www.gov.ie.

There are a number of Capital projects planned or underway in Dublin 9 and 11 the following are in Multi or Inter-denominational schools.Rosmini Community School, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, whose ethos is Inter- Denominational, the project is currently at Stage 3 (tender action, evaluation and award) to provide a long-term enrolment for 350 pupils plus a 2 SEN Base. Additionally, there is a Major capital project for Clonturk Community College, Whitehall, Dublin 9, whose ethos is Multi-Denominational, to provide a long-term enrolment for 1,000 pupils plus 4 SEN Base which is currently at project brief stage (determining the project brief and schedules of accommodation). In the interim, capital funding has also been approved for the provision of Modular Accommodation for 12 general classrooms and 6 specialist classrooms.

The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the local authority in respect of its review of their Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements in the areas of Dublin 9 and 11.

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