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

My Department works closely with local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of any major residential developments and requests sites to be reserved for school purposes, where necessary, to ensure as far as possible the timely delivery of any required education infrastructure in the future.

As the Deputy may be aware, the draft planning scheme for the area to which he refers is currently out for public consultation, in line with statutory requirements. My Department is preparing a submission to the relevant local authority in respect of the SDZ.

The current draft planning scheme provides for three new post primary schools and three new primary schools, in addition to existing school provision. My Department has plans to develop one of the school sites to provide post primary accommodation in the area, subject to the adoption of the planning scheme and the views of the planning authority.

With respect to additional sites reserved, my Department uses a geographical information system, GIS, to monitor demographic growth and identify when the pressure for additional school places will arise. When the demographic assessments indicate that a new school, primary or post-primary, is required to be established, my Department will seek to proceed with the acquisition and development of an appropriate school site in order to provide the necessary accommodation.

See this speech in context