319. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeframe for the delivery of a planned school (details supplied). [67186/26]

320. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeframe for the delivery of a planned school (details supplied). [67202/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.

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.

Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where 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 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.

If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

The Lucan School Planning Area includes two Strategic Development Zones (SDZs) at Adamstown and Clonburris. A significant number of new residential units have been developed in these areas and many more are planned. There is an associated demand for school places with the development of new houses. However, due to the reduction in birth rates and family sizes, the school place demand per house has reduced in recent years. Similarly, the demand for school places in the older residential areas in Lucan has reduced significantly.

These demand figures will be heavily influenced by the number of new houses delivered and when they are completed.

Consequently, and despite the completion of a significant number of new houses the enrolment numbers in the 17 primary schools peaked in 2022 and has reduced in recent years. While the demand for post primary school places is continuing to rise, it is projected to peak in the coming years. As it stands, if no more houses were to be delivered in Lucan the demand for places in the existing 8 post primary schools in 2030 would be lower than current levels.

Given the scale of current and planning residential development in the Lucan SPA, the demand primary and post primary school places are projected to increase, particularly local to the Adamstown and Clonburris development areas.

There is a project, in my department's capital programme, to develop a new 32 classroom primary school on the Tandy's Lane site in Adamstown.

Whilst the project for the new 32 classrooms is still under construction, my department has arranged for the delivery of interim accommodation on the Aderrig site on an interim basis.

The project has been granted capital funding for the provision of X5 Mainstream Classrooms, X1 Special Educational Needs Classroom (SEN) and ancillary accommodation under my Department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme.

This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.

Rogerson Reddan (RR) have been appointed, from my Department’s Framework to design and tender this schools project. This is a collaborative process between the Project Manager, School Authority and the Department. It is anticipated the project will start on site in early Q1 2027 and fit for occupation in Q2 2027.

My department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the Project Managers and School Authority to keep it updated on overall project delivery

In order to ensure alignment of school provision with the rollout of additional residential development, the department, through the various consultation phases of the Statutory Plan process, liaises with South Dublin County Council in respect of their County Development Plan, all associated variations, Local Area Plans and Masterplans with a view to identifying any medium to potential long-term school place and accommodation requirements across school planning areas and with the purpose of ensuring that there is an adequate amount of appropriately zoned and suitably located sites for future school place provision, which are in line with objectives as identified in the National Planning Framework.