Written answers
Thursday, 23 November 2023
Department of Education and Skills
School Accommodation
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will instruct her Department to put a plan in place to deliver the necessary temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) to ensure that the school can take in the cohort of over 150 students on a waiting list for next September from the catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51739/23]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware of pressures at post primary level in the planning area of the school referred to by the Deputy. This pressure is in part due to the reduction by some schools in the number of first year places being made available for 2024/25 school year. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place.
In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including this school planning area , have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible, and once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.
This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will instruct her Department to put a plan in place to deliver the necessary temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) to ensure that the school can take in the cohort of over 150 students on a waiting list for next September from the catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51740/23]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that my Department is aware of pressures at post primary level in the Athenry School Planning Area in part due to the reduction by some schools in the number of first year places being made available for 2024/25. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Athenry, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible, and once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.
This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.
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