Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

We had envisaged that there would be increases of more than 45,000 primary school pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils, excluding post-leaving certificate students, between now and 2018. The 2011 census did not change that. We have to provide new schools and extensions to existing schools as well as additional teachers to cater for the increased number of pupils. Detailed analysis is being finalised by my Department. Action plans are being drawn up for each area to determine the level of additional school capacity which will be required up to 2017. Detailed data from the 2011 census will feed into this analysis when such information is available next year. I recently announced that at least 40 new schools - 20 primary schools and 20 post-primary schools - are to be established in the next six years. Many existing schools need to be extended. My Department is prioritising this work at the moment.

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