Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 577: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reviews she has carried out on primary and secondary education in Gorey, County Wexford; the findings of such reviews; the action she will take following the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23547/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 579: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she has taken since September 2004 to date in relation to the catchment area crisis in Gorey, County Wexford, for pupils to attend a school (details supplied); the action she intends to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23549/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take in primary and secondary education to cater for the huge growth in population in Gorey, County Wexford, and the surrounding areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23552/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 577, 579 and 582 together.

The school to which the Deputy refers is heavily over-subscribed as a result of a significant number of pupils enrolling from outside its catchment area. The development of this type of situation can impact negatively on pupils from within the catchment area and who are entitled, as of right, to a place in a particular school. It also invariably impacts negatively on the school or schools to which these pupils should rightly attend and in which considerable capital investment has been made for this purpose. It is a matter for all school authorities, in the context of their enrolment policies, to limit enrolment to within their catchment areas to ensure that such situations do not arise. A school authority may offer places to pupils from outside the catchment area only if it does not have negative repercussions for additional accommodation and or transport costs.

The school planning section of my Department is currently examining educational provision at primary and post-primary level in the Gorey area. 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 this examination has been completed, my Department will bring forward plans as to how best the school accommodation needs of the area might be met into the future.