Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills being cognisant of the fact the population of Drogheda grew by 13% between 2016 and 2022, and with 25,000 new residents expected within a few years due to housing developments along the PANCR, what additional schools and associated school resources are being considered for Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32939/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the requirement for additional school places is kept under ongoing 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, including CSO Census data, 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.

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.

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.

My Department’s most recent projections for the Drogheda School Planning Area indicate decreasing enrolments at primary level and an increase in requirements at post primary level in the short term followed by a projected reduction in enrolments thereafter.

There are a number of current projects in the Drogheda school planning area which include:

The permanent accommodation for Drogheda ETSS is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. It is anticipated that Planning permission will be lodged in late July, and the project, when complete, will deliver a new 1,000 pupil school with 6 classes for children with special educational needs.

My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs, pending delivery of the permanent accommodation.

My Department will also continue to liaise with the Local Authority in respect of their County Development Plan and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas, including Drogheda.