Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her long-term plans for the development of national schools in the Fermoy and east Cork area generally to avoid overcrowding and promote the best learning environment for students now and into the future. [23930/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for 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, 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 have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my Department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from Local Authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.

The school planning areas in east Cork include Midleton_Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Cobh, Youghal and Mitchelstown. The most recent projections indicate these school planning areas have already reached their projected peak years for enrolment at primary level.

By way of example, Census data shows that the population of Fermoy Town & environs increased by over 7% from 2016 to 2022. However, the number of primary school age children only increased by 1.6% and the number of preschool children, aged 0 to 4 reduced by 32%, this downward trend in demographics is expected to impact on school enrolments over the coming years.

The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities 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.

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.

If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (Aonad) in an English-medium school.

There are 4 large scale capital projects planned in the east Cork area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:

Cobh SPA

Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour NS (Roll No: 20049S) –Amalgamation of two schools to provide 16 classroom and 2 SEN base school. Stage Project Brief- this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation.

Midleton_Carrigtwohill SPA

Scoil Chliodhna CNS, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 20442U)- New school building on campus project to cater for p+24 + 3 Classes. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.

Scoil Chlochair Mhuire, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 17103E). Construction of an extension to the existing school to provide permanent accommodation for a 16 classroom school and a 4 classroom SEN Base. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.

Scoil Mhuire Naofa, Carrigtwohill (Roll No: 18000W) Replacement school on a campus project to cater for p + 24 + 4 class. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.

In addition to the large scale projects, there are 17 projects in train.

Fermoy SPA

Kilmagner NS (Roll No: 11337W) 1 x 80m2 Mainstream Classroom with en-suite toilets & 1 x 15m2 SET Room. Stage 5

Watergrasshill NS (Roll No: 16271U) 2x Mainstream classroom:1x Special education Classroom. Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site.

St Catherine's NS (Roll No: 17528N) 1x Mainstream:1x Special education tuition room. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.

Scoil Bhride (Roll No: 17609N) 2x Special education classrooms:2x Mainstream Classrooms:2x prefabs. Stage 2b Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission

St Catherine's NS (Roll No: 18472R) 1x80m2 Mainstream classroom inc ensuite toilet. Stage 5. final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.

Scoil Mhuire (Roll No: 19404F) 2x Mainstream classroom:2x Special education Classroom. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.

Cobh SPA

St. Mary's Convent (Roll No: 16377N) Reconfiguration of MCR's in the school into 2 X SEN. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.

Youghal SPA

South Abbey NS (Roll No: 10724B) Reconfiguration to provide 1x Special education. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.

St Fergal's National School (Roll No: 17297U) Refurbishment of existing room to create 2nd SEN. Stage 5 final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management.

Kilcredan NS (Roll No: 19351K) 1x Mainstream Classroom en suite:2x Special education. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.

Midleton_Carrigtwohill SPA

Ballintotas NS, Castlemartyr (Roll No: 15165Q) 3x Mainstream classroom incl en suite toilets & 2x Special education tuition rooms. Stage 2b Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission

Midleton CBS (Roll No: 16684W) 1x Mainstream:1x Special education classroom:6xSpecial education tuition rooms plus Ancillary. Stage 2a Preliminary Design, site surveys and cost estimates.

Scoil Iosagain (Roll No: 17579H) 3x Special education Classroom:2x Mainstream Classroom prefab replacement:2x Special education tuition room 2x prefabs. Stage 1

Scartleigh NS (Roll No: 17600S) 1x Mainstream Classroom:2x Special education tuition room:1x Special education Classroom 1x Prefab pending permanent build. Stage 2b

Ballycroneen NS (Roll No: 18475A) 1x Mainstream Classroom ensuite. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.

Dungourney NS (Roll No: 19761G) 2x Special education classrooms and 2x Special education tuition rooms. Stage 1 Preliminary Design Stage where the Design Team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.

Midleton ETNS (Roll No: 20336V) 1x Special education classroom. Stage 3 instruction for the project to proceed to Tender.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.