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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of steps to establish funding mechanisms for institutes of technology to support the development of its student accommodation capacity. REPLY Funding provided to the Institute of Technology (IoT) sector currently impacts on the General Government Borrowing (GGB). Borrowing for capital development, including student accommodation, is included in the State’s balance sheet and therefore impacts on the Government’s available fiscal space. The National Student Accommodation Strategy includes actions to explore, with the sector, an off-balance sheet solution to allow IoTs to access funding for the development of purpose built student accommodation. The IoT sector is examining with the Department of Education and Skill and the assistance of the NDFA options to progress the provision of student accommodation for the technological sector on this basis. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school Hedgestown National School for Balbriggan, County Dublin; the stage at which the project is at; when construction will commence on the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY This major building project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. The project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured. Following the appointment of a replacement consultant architect, the Design Team has reviewed the previous Stage 2(b) documentation and upgraded the design to ensure that the new school building is a Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the current Building Regulations. A revised Stage 2(b) report has been submitted by the Design Team to the Department for review. Upon the commencement of the review of the submitted documentation the Department requested the Design Team to submit some additional revised documentation which has recently been received. Once the revised Stage 2(b) review is complete the Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the progression of the project. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of secondary school places in Rush, County Dublin in which over 100 students are on a waiting list for St Joseph’s Secondary School Rush; the steps he is taking to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY 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, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine 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 the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data 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. 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, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018 the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). While the announcement did not include a new post-primary school for the area referred to by the Deputy, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. A new 1,000 pupil post-primary school was established in 2013 to serve the Rush & Lusk school planning area and had an enrolment of some 650 pupils in 2018/19. As the Deputy will be aware, a building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s capital programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). A site is being acquired by my Department for this purpose. In the meantime, my Department recently approved temporary accommodation for the school to meet its interim accommodation needs. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Skerries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Kinsealy, Malahide and Portmarnock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Swords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Donabate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Balbriggan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Skerries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of primary school places in Lusk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Kinsealy, Malahide and Portmarnock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Swords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Balbriggan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Donabate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to resolve the shortage of secondary school places in Lusk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY 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, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine 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 the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data 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. 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, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2018 the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including the following new primary schools to be established in the areas referred to by the Deputy:
In addition, the following new post-primary schools were also established in the areas referred to by the Deputy in recent years :
I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ie and this information is also updated regularly. The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the Teagasc building in Kinsealy, County Dublin which houses Malahide /Portmarnock Educate Together National School; if there is capacity for another school to be located in the building in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY As the Deputy is aware, the building to which he refers is not in the ownership of the Minister For Education and Skills, however, the school to which he refers is accommodated at this location on an interim basis pending the delivery of its permanent school building. The recently adopted Kinsaley Local Area Plan provides for a new school at that location in order to serve any requirement which may emerge should the residential development which is projected in the LAP materialise. The need for any such school will be kept under review as part of recurring nationwide demographic analyses. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for Gaelscoil Ros Eo, Rush as announced in November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school in question is included on my Department's capital programme. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement in principle has been reached on the proposed acquisition of a site that will accommodate both the school to which he refers and a replacement building for an existing post primary school. This acquisition is currently progressing through the conveyancing stage. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding progress on a permanent school building project for Rush National School, Rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning, Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approval and the preparation of tender documents. Statutory approvals in relation to the permanent new school build have been secured. Following the appointment of a replacement consultant architect, the Design Team has reviewed the previous Stage 2(b) documentation and is currently upgrading the design to ensure that the new school building is a Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the Building Regulations. The Design Team is also finalising the detail in relation to the provision of temporary accommodation and playground facilities during the construction of the new school building. My Department is currently reviewing a report in relation to costs for the temporary accommodation and playground. Upon review and approval of costs, the Design Team will then submit an application for Planning Permission for the temporary accommodation and playground to the Local Authority. The Design Team will then complete the tender documents and submit the Stage 2b report to my Department. Upon receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) submission, my Department will revert to the Board of Management regarding the further progression of the project at that time Progress on a new school building project for a school St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rush25/9/2019
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding progress on a new school building project for a school St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY The Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which he refers is included in my Department's School Building Programme to be delivered as part of the National Development Plan (NDP). A new site is required to facilitate this development and my Department has recently reached agreement in principle with the landowners for the acquisition of a site. In tandem with the site acquisition, my Department will now initiate the preparation of the project brief. My Department will be in contact with the school authority when this process has been completed. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new school building project for St. Joseph's Secondary School, Rush; if the acquisition of a new site for the school has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. REPLY As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school in question is included on my Department's capital programme. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that agreement in principle has been reached on the proposed acquisition of a site that will accommodate both the school to which he refers and permanent accommodation for a local primary school. This acquisition is currently progressing through the conveyancing stage and my officials are working to bring it to a conclusion at the earliest possible date. QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a permanent school for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) for Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School REPLY This building project is currently at Stage 2B of the Architectural Planning process – Detailed Design Stage. The pre-qualification of contractors process has been carried out by the Design Team. The next stage of Architectural Planning for this project will be Stage 3 – tender stage which normally takes 7-8 months to complete. My Department will be in contact with the school regarding progression to tender stage. This building project is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan. |
pqs
All Parlamientary Questions I make about schools in Dublin Fingal and their answers can be viewed in this section Archives
December 2019
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