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For Written Answer on : 29/06/2021
Question Number(s): 324 Question Reference(s): 34291/21
Department: Education
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education if she has received the report of a group (details supplied); the action taken by her Department on foot of the report; if she plans to take any additional action ahead of the new school year in view of the report’s findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
(Details Supplied) The East Cork Secondary School Crisis Group report entitled “A Profile of East Cork Population Demographics and Other Rationale”
REPLY
My Department has received a copy of the report to which the Deputy refers. It is an analysis of historic population and enrolment trends for the period 2011-2020 in the East Cork area. The area in question is primarily the Midleton_Carrigtwohill school planning area, though part of the Youghal school planning area is also considered.
As the Deputy may be aware, a new primary school and a new post primary school have both been established in Midleton_Carrigtwohill in that period to meet the school needs arising from that population growth: Scoil Cliodhna CNS which was established in 2015 and Carrigtwohill Community College which was established in 2016.
In addition increased capacity is being provided in St Aloysius College, St. Mary High School, St. Colman’s Community College and in Pobalscoil na Tríonóide to meet September 2021 requirements as well as long-term projected enrolments in the east Cork area.
While the referenced report details historic information, the Deputy will appreciate that the provision of additional school accommodation is predicated on the projection of school place requirements based on current and future demographic trends. My Department uses up to date data from a range of sources including enrolments, Child Benefit data, information on residential development activity and National Planning Framework population targets in order to anticipate school place needs. The most current analysis does not indicate a requirement for additional school accommodation provision in the Midleton_Carrigtwohill or Youghal school planning areas above that which is currently being planned and delivered. Nevertheless, school place requirements will continue to be kept under review.
