Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, sends his apologies. He was anxious to take this matter but unfortunately, he was called away. I would look forward to Sporting Fingal travelling to Turner's Cross if it managed to get into the premier league, although it is a tough place to be.

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the process being utilised to ensure there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary level in all parts of the country.

In response to the rapid pace of social and demographic change in Ireland, a forward planning section was established in the Department. This section utilises the latest in GIS technology to help in planning the location of schools in the future. The section has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years.

This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data. The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 identified locations across the country, including the area referred to by the Deputy, based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. This information has been circulated to all existing school patrons who have been invited to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or to put themselves forward as patron for any new primary school should it be required. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.

The forward planning section is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014-15. Following on from this analysis of the primary needs, the forward planning section will be in a position to determine the accommodation need at post-primary level.

The forward planning section is in the process of implementing this technology for the entire country and when this has been completed, a full set of data on priority areas will be available. As a matter of course, there is ongoing liaison between the Department and local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of any major proposed developments and their possible implications for the provision of school infrastructure.

I point out that an extensive study on educational requirements for the Rush-Lusk area in the medium term to long-term was undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. This study was formalised and included in the draft area development plan for north Dublin, east Meath and south Louth which was published in January 2007.

See this speech in context