David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 16 April 2024 and the subsequent debate, the progress made by her Department in establishing a new second level school in east Cork given a projected rise in population figures in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36772/24]

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.

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.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested over €544 million across 104 projects of various scale in County Cork. This includes a number of significant projects in East Cork, such as the recently completed project at Carrigtwohill Post Primary School which delivered a new, modern 1,000 pupil permanent school building.

An extension at St. Colman's Community College, Midleton has also been recently completed to cater for up to 1,000 pupils with a Long Term Projected Enrolment aim of 1,300 pupils.

Other projects being advanced in East Cork include expanded capacity at Christian Brothers Secondary School and St. Mary's High School in Midleton. In addition, St. Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill will expand to cater for 1,000 pupils, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide in Youghal for 1,200 pupils, and Coláiste Mhuire and Carrignafoy Community College, both in Cobh, for 700 pupils each.

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.

Given the level of existing and planned provision, my Department is satisfied that the provision of a new school entity at post primary level in the East Cork area is not required at this time.

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.