Clane-Maynooth Municipal District Meeting, Friday, 2 June 2023
Councillor Pádraig McEvoy
Question
Can the council confirm if the Planning Authority/Local Community and Development Committee (LCDC) receive reports from the Department of Education, Tusla, the KWETB or other sources about shortfalls in school capacities in the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District and the requirements for pupils to travel further to other towns to enrol in second-level education?
Agenda Report
The Planning Department are not in receipt of reports from the Department of Education regarding shortfalls in school capacities in the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District. There is no requirement for the Department of Education, Tusla or Kildare West Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) to report to Local Community and Development Committee (LCDC) on the capacity of schools to meet demand in the county. However, we are aware that given the substantial growth and young population, that challenges exist in accessing schools particularly in high growth towns. This issue emerged as part of the consultations for the Children and Young Peoples Services Plan recently, and is likely to emerge as part of the planning process for the upcoming Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).
Issued by: Ms. P O’Brien, Senior Executive Officer, Community Department
Meeting Minutes
CM30/0623 [Link]
"The members considered the following question in the name of Councillor McEvoy.
Can the council confirm if the Planning Authority/Local Community and Development Committee (LCDC) receive reports from the Department of Education, Tusla, the KWETB or other sources about shortfalls in school capacities in the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District and the requirements for pupils to travel further to other towns to enrol in second-level education?
A report was received from the Community Department informing the members that the Planning Department are not in receipt of reports from the Department of Education regarding shortfalls in school capacities in the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District. There is no requirement for the Department of Education, Tusla or Kildare West Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) to report to Local Community and Development Committee (LCDC) on the capacity of schools to meet demand in the county. However, we are aware that given the substantial growth and young population, that challenges exist in accessing schools particularly in high growth towns. This issue emerged as part of the consultations for the Children and Young Peoples Services Plan recently, and is likely to emerge as part of the planning process for the upcoming Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).
Councillor McEvoy said that he thought that the members were aware of the pressures on schools and that there was so much uncertainty and lack of options for pupils. Pupils were waiting on lists that were not resolved. Not at all comforting to the members of the public to have Tusla advising on Home Education, this was no good and did not benefit the needs of the pupils. When students travel to another town this then adds to the congestion of these towns. That there was a lack of transport connection between Straffan and Rathcoffey.
The report was noted."
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