Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide additional secondary schools in a town (details supplied), with particular reference to the growth in population in the north Kildare area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36103/24]

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.

Kilcock is in the Kilcock school planning area. The projected peak year for enrolments at post primary level is 2027, with enrolments projected to decrease 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.

In response to such previously identified demographic need, my Department is providing significant post primary capacity in the Kilcock School Planning Area, including:

Scoil Dara (Roll number 61691B) located in Kilcock town has numerous projects: Funding approved in 2018 under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme to cater for LTPE (long term projected enrolment) of 1000 and 2 special education classes. This project is devolved to the school for delivery and consists of 11x Mainstream classrooms ; 2x Science labs & Prep area:1x Art & craft room, 1x Textiles room, 1x Multimedia room and 2 offices which is at Stage 2a which involves the preliminary design, site surveys and cost estimates. Funding approved in 2021 for reconfiguration to create 1x Special education classroom which is at stage 4 which is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site. Funding approved in 2023 for reconfiguration works to entrance to cater for increased enrolments which is at stage 5 is the final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management. Funding approved also for 2 modular projects for prefab replacements which are currently on site.

A new school building project for Enfield Post Primary School (Roll number 76595N), located in the Kilcock school planning area, to cater for LTPE 1,000 PP + 4 Special Educational Needs which is at Stage 3 which is the instruction for the project to proceed to tender. The school also has a modular project for 4 general classrooms at stage 4 – start on site.

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

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.