Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school students enrolled in Lucan schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28379/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of post primary school students enrolled in Lucan schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28380/24]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.

Please find attached requested information.

Lucan SPA has 17 primary schools. The projected peak year for enrolments was 2018/19 with enrolments decreasing thereafter.

Lucan SPA has 8 Post primary schools. The projected peak year for enrolments is 2024/25, with enrolments decreasing thereafter.

Please note that data provided is for academic year 2022/23, the latest year we have final enrolment data for, and is for primary and post-primary schools located in the Lucan School Planning Area. We expect to publish final enrolment data for academic year 2023/24 shortly and it will be published at the link below.

.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on forward planning for additional schools in Lucan to meet extra demand driven by growth and projected growths in population through the development of Lucan and the Clonburris and Adamstown strategic zones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28381/24]

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

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 2023 demographic exercise indicates that 79% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level show static or decreasing enrolments for the period to 2027 compared with 2022. At post-primary level some 78% of school planning areas are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2030, with most expected to reach a peak within the next two or three years.

Lucan and Adamstown are located in the Lucan school planning area. The Lucan SPA projected peak year at primary level was 2018 and at post primary is 2024 with enrolments decreasing thereafter. Clonburris is located in the Clondalkin_D22 school planning area. The projected peak year at primary level for Clondalkin_D22 was 2018 and at post primary is 2024, with enrolments decreasing thereafter.

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.

My Department is progressing a number of building projects under the National Development Plan in the Lucan and Clondalkin_D22 school planning area’s. The ongoing projects includes a new school build for Griffeen Community College to provide for 1000 pupils plus provision for Special Education Needs, this project is currently at Stage 3- is the instruction for the project to proceed to Tender

In addition, there are building projects for extensions of Lucan Community College and St. Joseph’s College to cater for 1000 pupils, the project for Lucan Community College is at Stage 3 (is the instruction for the project to proceed to Tender) and the project for St. Joseph’s College is currently at Stage 4 -the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site.

In addition to the mentioned projects, the following projects are also progress in the Lucan school planning area:

Gaelscoil Naomh Padraig (Roll No 19940G) 2 x Special Education Classroom , 1x Mainstream Classroom with en suite toilets:1x UAWC. Project at Stage 1-this is the 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.

Esker ETNS (20274C) 1x Mainstream classroom:2x Special education Classroom:2x Special education tuition room. Project at Stage 2b – this is the Developed Design & lodgement of Planning Permission.

St Marys BNS (00714P) 5x Mainstream classrooms :3x Special education tuition rooms :2x Special education classrooms:1x UA Toilet and reconfiguration works for Special education classroom in the interim. Project at Stage 1 -this is the 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 Thomas Junior National School (19542R). Refurb of existing classroom into a staff room.

Gaelscoil Naomh Padraig (19940G). Reconfiguration for 1 x Special Education Classroom. Project is at Stage 1 -this is the 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.

There are four projects planned in the Clondalkin_D22 school planning area:

Scoil Naomh Seosamh (18655C) 1x Special education classroom and reconfiguration works for interim Special education classroom. Approved to go to tender.

Scoil Naomh Aine (19221U) Renovation to existing Special education classroom and construction of 1x additional Special education Class: interim accommodation of 1x Special education classroom prefab.

Talbot SNS (19510E) Reconfiguration of existing 60m room for ASD class.

Coláiste Bríde (60122D) 2 x Special Education Classrooms and ancillary suite. Brief stage- this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the 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.

The pace of delivery of additional residential development in the school planning areas, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements. My Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authorities in respect to the projected completion of planned residential developments.