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

The Deputy's opening question was how the Bill would impact the problem in Swords. It is not designed to specifically build more schools. It is designed to have a consistent and transparent policy. That Bill is before the House and will go to Committee Stage. Pre-legislative hearings on some of these issues are taking place within the committee.

I am very conscious that there is population pressure in Swords. My Department is reviewing the demographic data for the Swords school planning area as part of its general assessment. My Department also has been in direct contact with a number of primary schools in the Swords area in respect of their junior infant capacity. In that regard, it is understood that at least one school is undersubscribed and has expressed a willingness to enrol further junior infants in September 2017, if necessary. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in school planning areas to ensure one school is not expanding at the expense or the viability of another school.

There are about 13 different planning areas in the north Dublin area. Four new schools have been built since 2011, so this is an area where there is continuing expansion. The demographic data are being reviewed again to see whether we are at a point where additional capacity needs to be planned for. As of today, the Department's assessment is that the need of junior infants enrolling in the schools in the Swords area will be met by the available places. Unfortunately, that does not always mean that a parent applying to the school of their preference gets the school they wanted. I know some schools have longer waiting lists. That is the current position. The Department will continue to assess needs. The building programme seeks to respond to the pressure of population demand.

It goes back to the point I made to Deputy Griffin. Each year, we must deliver 20,000 additional school places. The planning is such that it is only when the demographic need is clearly established that we trigger construction. That is the only way we can meet the pressure of demand but we are meeting that demand. The assessment will go ahead in Swords.

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