John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply, which in some regards is the traditional reply that when the houses are built and people are occupying them the schools will follow. This has been the traditional model in the greater Clondalkin-Lucan area and it has imposed considerable hardship on new communities. The difference with this model is it is a strategic development zone, where infrastructure is to be provided in tandem with the housing development. We need to move away from the traditional problems we experienced in the past. Rather than waiting and doing an analysis on new population schools must be provided in tandem with the housing development. One of the schools identified has been built and is currently occupied and reaching capacity. It is important to recognise the location of Clonburris. It is straddled between Clondalkin and Lucan, an area which has seen significant population growth. Many of the existing schools in these areas have no spare capacity and so it is really important that the Department's plan is dovetailed to meet the strategic development such that there are no gaps. We should not wait until the population is in place to address the educational needs of the area.

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