Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
571. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Education further to correspondence, the reason a current school site is no longer suitable for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1040/25]
View answerAs part of its forward planning, my Department has identified the need for a new special school to be established in the Lucan area for the 2025/26 school year. This will be a very important local facility for families and children in the Lucan area who require a school place in a special school.
My Department considers that this need can be best met through the Lucan East ETNS school moving to the new school building that is nearing completion in Kishogue and for the existing school building at Lucan East to be re-purposed to facilitate the establishment of the new special school.
The new school building in Kishogue is due to be completed by Easter 2025. This will enable my Department to re-purpose the existing building in advance of the opening of the new special school for the 2025/26 school year.
In the case of the new special school being established in the Lucan area, an assessment of the wider demographic requirements at primary level was carried out. The decision to relocate Lucan East ETNS was made in the wider context of the demographic need for school places in the area. The demographic profile of the Lucan area has changed since Lucan East ETNS was established, and the demand for school places in the current location is decreasing.
The area surrounding the new school has a younger demographic profile, and a higher associated demand for primary school places in the short to medium term.
The Clonburris area is planned to deliver over 10,000 new homes that will accommodate 23,000 people. Development has started on these homes and the demand for primary school places is starting to materialise.
The new school for Lucan East ETNS is well located to continue to serve its existing catchment area, which has a reducing demand over the medium term, while also starting to meet the increasing demand from the new residential area in Clonburris. The new location is also better positioned to facilitate expansion opportunities in to the future.
The relocation of Lucan East ETNS does not affect the Department's plans for further school development in the Clonburris area and the Department will continue to monitor demand brought about by demographic need when addressing school capacity.
Lucan East ETNS will move from their current location to the new school building that is nearing completion in Kishogue over Easter 2025, with students returning to the new school following the Easter midterm break.
My Department will be working closely with the patron and school authority on the practical arrangements for the relocation.
