Richard Bruton
Question:224. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education when a detailed review of the need for new second level schools across Dublin will be undertaken in view of the surge in housing development. [36807/22]
View answerThursday, 7 July 2022
Questions (224)
Written answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that 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 Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country, including Dublin, will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of annual demographic exercises, my Department obtains the up-to-date information on significant new residential development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes.
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.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years, including those which may arise in the Dublin area is ongoing. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with the local authorities in Dublin in respect of their Development Plans and Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.