Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been an increase of 34% in post-primary students at a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if the purchase of the new site will be authorised. [5384/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Projected long-term enrolments at the school in question have dropped since the proposal for a new school was originally approved. In that context, it is important to confirm that provision of a new second level school is still warranted.

To consider the matter thoroughly, a review of second level education provision in the area is underway in the school planning section of my Department. This review is being carried out in consultation with the school authority. It is taking into account factors such as recent trends in enrolment at the school, the projections for future enrolment, the basis for those projections and the robustness of the projections. The likely impact of recent and projected housing developments will, of course, be considered along with existing school provision in the general area. Additional information has recently been received from the school authority and this is now being examined.

When the review is fully completed, a decision will be taken on how best to provide for current and emerging needs, including site acquisition if this is necessary.