Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 129: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the provisions she is putting in place to cater for the projected increase in the student population in the years ahead; if she will be publishing the report prepared by her officials on this subject; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7984/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is considering the results of recent revisions to projections of future enrolment in the light of demographic and social changes as well as the publication, by the CSO, of new population projections in December 2004. As the Deputy will appreciate, uncertainties arise in regard to future migration trends, participation at various levels of education and long-term trends in births. Nevertheless, it is important to move ahead and plan for the continuing increase in enrolments at primary level, which will eventually feed into second level, as well as the need to increase completion flows from further and higher education in the light of long-term economic and social needs. Following consideration of the likely resource and policy implications of the revised projections, I plan to make the latest projection publicly available before the end of the current school year.