Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the establishment of a secondary school on Inishbofin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12008/23]

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

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.

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, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. In accordance with measures in place nationally since 2011, most new post-primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600 – 1,000 students. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Aonad within a school.

There is currently one primary school on Inishbofin with a total enrolment of 18 pupils for the 2022/23 academic year, and no pupils currently in sixth class (provisional data). On average, 2 pupils from Inisbofin progress to post primary school in Clifden each year.

These enrolments and the demand for post primary education on Inisbofin will be kept under continuous review.

In relation to the post-primary situation, pupils resident on off-shore islands that do not have a school providing suitable free second level education may qualify for assistance under the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme. The purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged, because of their remoteness from schools, the opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged. It is important that post primary students have access to a range of subject choices, as well as other social and developmental opportunities.

The terms of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on my Department’s website (www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0016_2016.pdf).

The Department of Education will continue to be represented on the Inter-Departmental Committee for the Development of the Islands led by the Department of Rural and Community Development. A strategy was agreed between the Departments to draft a new policy for the islands and their development.

The policy development has a number of strands. Firstly, there was a consultation phase of public meetings undertaken with island communities establishing the issues impacting on the viability of their communities. Secondly, there was a series of bilateral meetings informing Departments and other stakeholders of the findings of the consultations and asking for Departments and stakeholders to consider their response to the challenges identified.

The Inter-Departmental Committee is currently working with the Department of Rural and Community Development to identify actions to be included in an action plan that would be published in conjunction with the islands policy. This Committee represents a whole of Government approach to assessing the socio-economic and structural needs of island communities, including education provision. I look forward to seeing the outcome from this work when available.

These enrolments and the demand for post primary education on Inisbofin will be kept under continuous review.