Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of all expansion and new school buildings planned for schools in Athlone town in order to cater for the rapidly increasing population. [19164/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data in a way that takes account of the significant local and regional variations in demographic trends and enrolment projections, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas.
The school planning areas provide a useful means of projecting demographic demand in a localised area or areas, thereby allowing the Department to determine oncoming growth at a relatively localised level to inform recommendations and decisions on where additional school places may be needed. However, there can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between school planning areas, particularly in urban areas, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the school planning area in which they reside or not.
Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, My Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date information on significant new residential developments in each area.
My Department additionally consults with school patron bodies in order to identify areas with pressures on enrolments.
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.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision across the country, through the review of the County Development Plans, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
The most recent demographic exercise for the Athlone School Planning Area indicates that enrolments at primary level are set to decline slightly since their peak in 2021 while enrolments at Post Primary level are to increase slightly by 2024 and stabilise thereafter.
Whilst there are projects at Primary Level to increase capacity in schools for Athlone Town and the remainder of the School Planning Area, there is also a significant number of projects at Post-Primary schools.
Summerhill National School has been approved 1 Classroom and 2 SET rooms.
Brideswell National School has been approved 2 SET rooms and 2 SEN.
Clonbonny National School has been approved 1 Classroom, 2 SET rooms and an User Assisted WC.
Ard na gCrath has been approved 1 Classroom, 2 SET and 1 ASD class.
My Department is also engaging with St Mary's NS and Cornamaddy NS in respect of their accommodation needs.
A new school building for Coláiste Chiaráin, Summerhill, Athlone opened in September 2020. The school has capacity for 1,000 mainstream pupils as well accommodation for pupils with special educational needs. Current enrolment is 730 pupils.
The development of a new school building for Marist College on the school’s existing site at Retreat Road is also planned. The building, when constructed, will provide capacity for 750 mainstream pupils as well as accommodation for pupils with special educational needs. The project is currently at Project Brief Stage. Current enrolment is 572 pupils.
Athlone Community College is additionally to increase capacity from 1000 pupils to 1200 pupils.
In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision across the country, through the review of the County Development Plans, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes. In its County Development Plan 2021-2027, Westmeath County Council stated that it is an objective of the Local Authority to prepare a Joint Urban Area Plan for Athlone, in conjunction with Roscommon County Council. It was recognised that the educational accommodation requirements for Athlone are most appropriately considered as part of this proposed joint plan. My Department is awaiting publication of the proposed plan and will engage with both Local Authorities accordingly.
