Skip to main content

Ministers Announce Joint Code of Practice on Provision of Schools and the Planning System

01/08/08


Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Batt O’Keeffe, T.D., Minister for Education and Science, and Mr. Michael Finneran, T.D., Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas today (1 August 08) announced the publication of a Code of Practice on the Provision of Schools and the Planning System.

The Code of Practice which was agreed between the two Departments, in conjunction with the City and County Managers’ Association, sets out the roles, responsibilities and specific actions to be taken in relation to forecasting future demand for school places and planning for schools provision through the development plan, local area plan and development management processes.  The Code of Practice, which is issued as statutory guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, is part of a wider package of initiatives designed to facilitate the provision of schools and schools-related infrastructure within the planning system.

In welcoming the Code of Practice, Minister Gormley highlighted the co-operative nature of the document which will help to ensure best practice approaches are followed by planning authorities in facilitating the timely and cost-effective roll-out of school facilities by the Department of Education and Science.  The Code of Practice builds on guidance provided in his Department’s June 2007 Development Plan Guidelines, and outlines the principles and scope for integrating schools provision with the development plan process and in particular, in linking anticipated levels of demand for school places with housing strategies and the provision of large-scale residential developments. 

The Code of Practice is built around three core objectives:
· firstly, schools provision should be an integral part of the evolution of compact sustainable urban development and the development of sustainable communities;
· secondly, the provision of any new schools should be driven by and emerge from an integrated approach between the planning functions of planning authorities and the Department of Education and Science; and
· thirdly, planning authorities will co-operate and co-ordinate with the Department of Education and Science in ensuring the timely delivery of schools.

Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe T.D., also acknowledged the importance of creating clear linkages between the demand for school places, especially in new and fast-growing areas, with the current planning and delivery processes followed by his Department in relation to school accommodation.  “It’s principally about ensuring that planning authorities engage at the earliest opportunity and co-ordinate with the Department of Education and Science in relation to schools requirements and their future provision before land is zoned or re-zoned for substantial residential development.”

Minister O’Keeffe added in relation to the timely acquisition of sites that ”there are obvious synergies to be availed by my Department in working closely with local authorities and to this end, I have instructed my officials to commence work with the City and County Managers’ Association on agreeing the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the efficient acquisition of sites is put into place as soon as possible.”

Ireland’s rapidly growing population continues to present new challenges in meeting the needs of new communities, particularly in relation to the provision of essential physical and social infrastructure and services, such as schools.  The planning system for its part can play a critical role in anticipating future development and co-ordinating the provision of the essential supporting infrastructure such as transport, water services, schools, amenity and community facilities through the actions of the planning authorities, the investment programmes of Government Departments and their agencies and through the private sector. 

Minister Finneran, who is spearheading the Developing Areas Initiative which is aimed at delivering joined-up government and better co-ordination in the provision of key services in line with new developments, recognised the integral nature of schools in both new and expanding residential areas.  “This Code of Practice is also emerging from the work underway under my Developing Areas brief to provide a new mechanism for the Department and local authorities to support work at central and local government levels to secure better co-ordination and timely delivery of key infrastructure and services in fast-growing developing areas in parallel with housing development.”  Minister Finneran intends to bring a report on this Initiative to Government later in the year.

The Minister also recognised the intensive work and close co-operation between his Department, the Department of Education and Science and the County and City Managers’ Association.  “This co-ordinated approach is a significant step forward in ensuring all the key players have a clarity of purpose in fulfilling their part towards the common goal of delivering schools on the ground.” 

The City and County Managers’ Association also acknowledged the value of the Code of Practice for its members.  “From the local authority perspective, we very much welcome the Code of Practice which reinforces effective early engagement with the Department of Education and Science and key Government Departments in the development plan, local area plan and development management processes.  This interaction will no doubt help to support optimal outcomes on school delivery within our cities, towns and rural areas.”

The Ministers emphasised that this Code of Practice is just the first step and provides a sound basis which can further enhance engagement and interaction between the two Departments and with local authorities on the ground in more timely and more integrated delivery of schools which are a cornerstone for thriving sustainable communities and an investment in future generations.

The Code of Practice is available to view and download on the Departments’ websites:

- http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning

- http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?maincat=17216&pcategory=17216&ecategory=17237&language=EN

ENDS

1/08/08

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

Back

  • Print this page

Publications & Documents

News and Speeches

Legislation