Written answers

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Department of Education and Skills

School Enrolments

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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541. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a local school place can be accommodated for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14763/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas, including in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Where capacity issues arise it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place  to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.

Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.

My Department is working with relevant school authorities to establish the extent of enrolment pressures through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities.  In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming years which may necessitate further action to that already in train.

Where it is determined 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, or

- Provision of a new school or schools.

Under Project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.  The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. Additionally, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified. The current status of these projects being delivered is listed on www.gov.ie and is updated on a monthly basis to reflect their progress.

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