Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Coughlan. I thank the Senator for raising the matter because it affords me the opportunity to outline the process being utilised to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at post-primary level in all parts of the country.

The most recent projections used by the Department would see the projected enrolments at post-primary level increase from the current total enrolment - excluding plcs - of circa 312,200 pupils to an expected enrolment of between 331,500 and 336,600 pupils by 2017. It is within this context that the forward planning section is in the process of analysing all areas in the country to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at post-primary level up to 2017. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. When these factors have been considered, decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.

Overall post-primary requirements in the Knocklyon-Rathfarnham area will be considered in this context. It is expected that, initially, any additional pupil places required will be provided by extensions to the existing schools. In that context, I can confirm that the Department recently approved capital funding to provide additional accommodation in Coláiste Éanna, Ballyroan. I should also mention that Sancta Maria college, Ballyroan, was listed in the schools building programme announcement of 24 January 2011 in the context of progressing the project to secure planning permission with a view to preparing tender documents. The progression of further large-scale building projects arising from the forward planning section's analysis will be considered in the context of the Department's school building and modernisation programme.

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of those schools. The Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

I again thank the Senator for giving me the opportunity to outline the process being utilised to ensure that there will be adequate accommodation in schools at post-primary level in all parts of the country.