Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Hoctor for her very heartfelt presentation. I have a response from the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills but, unfortunately, it does not contain the positive response the Deputy was hoping to elicit. I will pass on the Deputy's well-made and sincere comments to the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills who, for family reasons, cannot be in the Chamber tonight.

The Department of Education and Skills took the decision to close Knock national school at the end of the 2002-2003 school year because of the downward trend in enrolments with no prospect of a reversal in the decline at the time. Numbers dropped from 37 pupils in 1993-1994 to three pupils in 2002-2003. The decision to close the school under rule 36 of rules for national schools was taken after consultation with the patron, the school's chairperson, the local school's inspector and the INTO.

In taking this decision the Department was aware there was sufficient school accommodation in the area to cater for the numbers of preschool children in the area. Representations on behalf of the school concerned, seeking to have recognition restored, have recently been made to the Department by local and other elected representatives, including Deputy Hoctor.

The forward planning section in the Department utilises the latest in geographical information systems, GIS, technology to assist in planning school requirements. The GIS contains information on all schools in the country, at both primary and post-primary level. Utilising GIS, the forward planning section has carried out a national study to identify 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 Protection, in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.

The study indicates the requirements for additional primary provision in the coming years is likely to be greatest in more than 40 identified locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas.

The forward planning section is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014-2015. When the required reports have been completed, the section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.

The sting, however, is in the tail. Initial demographic analysis on the Roscrea area indicates there will be no requirement for significant additional accommodation in the short to medium term. It is not envisaged that Knock national school will be re-opened.

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Knowing Deputy Hoctor as I do, I have no doubt as to the sincerity of the case she has presented. I will make the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills aware of the concerns of the people Deputy Hoctor so ably represents on this issue.

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