Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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361. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects to be in a position to meet the challenges in terms of primary and second level school accommodation and ancillary social facilities where required arising from increased population in various areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23223/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.

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.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.

The 2022 demographic exercise indicates that 85% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2026 compared with 2021. At post-primary level some 74% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2029, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, 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.

The quantity, pace and location of new residential developments has a direct impact in the demand for school places.

My Department will continue to monitor residential developments and liaise with Local Authorities in respect to population projections at settlement level, along with the review of the Development Plan processes with a view to identifying any demand for additional school accommodation.