Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 138 together.

As part of the Department's five-year school building programme, more than 20 new post-primary schools, usually of the order of 1,000 pupils per school, are being established across the country to cater for increasing demographics. A number of these schools have already commenced operation and the remainder will open between now and 2016.

Generally, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five-year plan is focused on meeting these demographic needs and sets out the school projects that are planned to proceed to construction. The Department will also consider applications from schools for funding for additional classrooms where an immediate enrolment need is arising. The Department continues to analyse demographic trends and monitor enrolments in all areas to determine the level of additional school provision that will be required in future and to ensure that this is provided in a timely manner.

Alongside the building of infrastructure, we are also preparing for the need to have more teachers in the system. I have already asked the Teaching Council, the professional body for teachers, for advice on the matter of teacher supply and demand. I will meet it next week when this will be one of the items for discussion. The council is preparing that advice with the overall goal of ensuring that there is timely information to inform the system generally and planning in the Department. The model must be sustainable and adaptable to cater for evolving needs. I expect to receive an initial report from the Teaching Council later in the year.

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