Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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579. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the future educational needs of children in Newcastle, County Dublin, will be catered for; if a post-primary school could be accommodated on Department-owned land next to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54888/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that 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.

The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement range from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision. 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.

My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas (SPAs) including the school planning area of Newcastle/Rathcoole.

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 they are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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 year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

Recent projections for the Newcastle/Rathcoole School Planning Area (SPA) indicate a slight increase in requirements at primary level up to 2024 followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.

In relation to post primary level for the Newcastle/Rathcoole SPA, recent projections indicate a slight increase in requirements up to 2025, followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.

A number of major building projects for primary and post primary schools in the Newcastle/Rathcoole SPA are at various stages of the design and building process and these projects, when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area, including:

Primary Schools:

R.N.19503H Scoil Chronain - Project to deliver a 16-classroom school with accommodation for pupils with special education needs is at Stage 2b

R.N.20531T Gaelscoil Lir - Project to deliver a 16-classroom school with accommodation for pupils with special education needs is at Stage 2b

R.N. 20549P Rathcoole ETNS - Project to deliver a 16-classroom school with accommodation for pupils with special education needs is at Stage 2b

Post Primary Schools:

R.N. 76594L Coláiste Pobail Fola Community College - Project to deliver a 1,000 pupil school with accommodation for pupils with special education needs is at Stage 2b.

R.N. 91301D Holy Family Community School - Project to deliver a 1,000 pupil school with accommodation for pupils with special education needs is at Stage 3.

The requirement for additional school places in the Newcastle/Rathcoole school planning areas is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the local Council in respect of its review of the Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements. New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.