Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 681: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures in place to ensure that planning authorities take account of future expansion needs of schools when determining planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34563/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The development plan is the main instrument for guiding physical planning within a county. Section 10(2)(i) of the Planning and Development Act requires that a development plan shall include objectives for the provision of, or facilitate the provision of, services for the community, including, in particular, schools, crèches and other education and child care facilities. I intend to publish for consultation guidelines on development plans for planning authorities shortly. The draft guidelines draw particular attention to the need for development plans to facilitate the provision of sufficient land to meet the need for new schools or expansion of existing schools in accordance with the requirements of the community and of the relevant education authorities.