Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is an issue worth looking at. Obviously, the first tangible piece of evidence is when a child is born. That is a very reliable data source for the Department. A PPS number is issued and enters the planning system. The child concerned is still four and a half or five years away from enrolment. It gives a planning horizon. Generally, the Department has very large catchments which are moving at fairly predictable levels. It would look at trends in births in particular areas. I will certainly ask officials if we can do better. It is a good model and has been pretty reliable. The Deputy is right in saying the integration with the local authority and planning could be better. I will ask if we can do better in that area.

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