Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Mary Coughlan, Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills.

I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the House the process being utilised to ensure there will be adequate accommodation in schools at primary and post-primary level in all parts of the country.

The forward planning section of the Department of Education and Skills utilises the latest in geographical information system, GIS, technology to assist in planning school requirements into the future. The GIS contains information on all schools in the country, primary and post-primary level, geo-coded to their location.

Growth projection figures are also applied to the existing population with a view to assessing future requirements and identifying the areas experiencing highest growth at primary and post-primary level. In addition, as a matter of course, there is ongoing liaison between the Department and local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of any major developments and their possible implications for school provision.

The forward planning section of the Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of more than 40 identified locations of highest population growth to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014 to 2015. Given the increase in the birth rate in recent years the initial focus of this analysis is on primary school accommodation requirements, and this will be followed by a more detailed analysis of post-primary accommodation requirements.

Turning to the specific primary school referred to by the Senator - Gaelscoil de hÍde, Oranmore, County Galway - the Department has been involved in discussions with Galway County Council in relation to acquiring a suitable site. I am advised the local authority is actively engaged in negotiations for a suitable site. Due to the commercial sensitivities pertaining to the acquisition of school sites generally, it is not possible for me to comment further on the acquisition process at this time. That said, the House can be assured the Department is fully aware of the requirements for school provision in the Oranmore area and the associated demand for school places and is working closely with the county council on the matter.

I thank the Senator again for affording me the opportunity to outline to the House the current position.