Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1589: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to ensure that enough primary school places are available for local children in the Dublin 6 and Dublin 4 areas, particularly Milltown in view of recent primary school closures and the lack of places that currently exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1732/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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At primary level, three new schools have been provided in the Dublin 4 area within the last ten years — Gaelscoil Lios Na Nóg, John Scottus NS and Ioclainn na Pailirise NS. In addition four new classrooms are being provided at St Mary's Central National School, Donnybrook and one classroom plus ancillary accommodation is to be provided at St Matthew's National School, Sandymount. In the Dublin 6 area two new schools have been provided in recent years — Cheeverstown Special School and Gaelscoil Mologa. In addition, an extension project for the Presentation Primary School in Terenure is at an advanced stage of architectural planning.

These are practical examples of the extent of the extra provision being made in terms of additional school places throughout the area. These and many other initiatives represent huge capital investment and demonstrate the commitment to meeting the needs of the area concerned. The Department is satisfied that there is considerable spare capacity in the Dublin 4 and Dublin 6 areas. The Department's responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places. This approach ensures that the use of existing accommodation is maximised and that the development and support of one school over others does not occur.

The School Planning Section of the Department will keep the position under review to ensure that any additional emerging needs are met as expeditiously as possible.