I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for additional 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.
The total for the population enumerated in Census 2022 was 5,149,139 persons which is an increase of 8% since April 2016. Any change arising from an increase in the number of pupils directly linked to the Census is likely to be marginal in the short term relative to the overall challenge of meeting our targets. This is because we already have the precise enrolment numbers for all of the children covered by the census. The only immediate change is likely to be to the projected intake to infant classes next September but this would already have been tracked through monitoring of child benefit data.
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 development in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
At primary level the most recent projection for the Donabate school planning area indicate the projected peak year for enrolments is 2026 with numbers remaining static in the short term and decreasing 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.
There are 3 projects planned in the Donabate school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Gaelscoil na Mara (Roll Number 20530R) Brief: New 16 Classroom School and SEN. Project Brief Stage (this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation).
St Patrick's BNS (Roll Number 16267G) Brief: 2 SEN Unit. 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).
Scoil Padraig (Roll Number 18412W) Brief: 1 class SEN, 2x SET and 4x MCR. Stage 1.
As the Deputy is aware, there is a designated school site in the Corballis, Donabate area identified for the Gaelscoil referred to.
The design and the delivery of a school on the designated site, is dependent on road infrastructure and services to be delivered as part of the residential development, on these lands.
The residential development was granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála in November 2022. Unfortunately, judicial review proceedings have been lodged in respect of An Bord Pleanála’s decision.
My Department now await the outcome of the judicial review process, prior to advancing the plans for the provision of a primary school at lands in Corballis, Donabate.
The Department will continue to liaise with the 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.
