Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a full update on her Department's plans to expand and build new primary and secondary schools to cater for the rapid expansion on the north side of Drogheda, in particular in the area of the northern cross route infrastructure which has led to the construction of thousands of new homes; the number of school-going children that are projected by the council and her Department with reference to the local area plan North Drogheda Environs Masterplan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41580/24]

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 department also conducts granular analysis below the level of a school planning area, particularly where a school planning area encompasses both high growth urban settlement areas and a more rural hinterland.

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.

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.

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 3 primary projects planned in Drogheda town:

Marymount NS (Roll No: 19215C) – Brief: 24 Mainstream Classrooms plus provision for Special Education Needs. Stage 3. Stage 3 is the instruction for the project to proceed to tender.

Sandpit NS (Roll No: 18045V) – Brief: 2x Special education classroom. Extension Stage 1: Stage 1 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 Pauls Senior NS (Roll No: 19678T) – Brief: 7x Mainstream classrooms, UAWC, 2x Special education tuition rooms. Extension. Stage 1.

There are 5 post-primary projects planned in Drogheda town:

St Mary’s Diocesan School (Roll No: 63841E) – Brief: 4x Mainstream classrooms:1x Construction studies room:1x Technology studies room:1x shared prep area:1x WC:1x Special education tuition classroom:1x Standard toilets. Extension and refurbishment. Stage 1.

St Olivers Community College (Roll No: 7176C) – Brief: 15x Mainstream classrooms:10x Special education tuition classrooms:6x Science lab /prep area/store:2x Music rooms:3x DCG rooms:1x Textiles room:1x Home economics room:3x Construction/ Technology rooms:4x Special education classrooms:1x Library:1x PE hall. Extension. Stage 1.

St Joseph’s CBS Drogheda (Roll No: 63840C) – Brief: 4x Special education classrooms. Extension. Stage 1.

Sacred Heart Secondary (Roll No: 63860i) – Brief: 1x Home economics 1x Multimedia 1x Science laboratory & prep area 1x Art room & project store 1x Engineering room & prep area & project store, 1x Special education tuition room 4x Special education classrooms & Staff room, staff WC student WC. Extension and refurbishment. Stage 1.

There is also a significant post primary school project at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents to deliver a new 1,000 pupil school in Drogheda to accommodate Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School . This will also include a 6 classroom base special education needs facility within the school

When completed, these projects will cater for the demand for school places in the area.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at 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 zoning of lands for any purpose is a matter for the Local Authority. The Department will continue to liaise with Louth County Council 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 the Drogheda area.