Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the huge population growth that has taken place in Carlow town on both sides of the County Carlow and Laois border; if Carlow is prioritised as an area of rapid growth requiring targeted educational investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42808/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that village schools on the outskirts of Carlow are already taking pupils from the town due to the town schools being full; the plans in place to cater for the proposed residential development on the former sugar beet factory in addition to existing population strain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42810/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take questions 496 and 498 together.

I can confirm to the Deputy that Carlow town has been designated as an area of rapid growth and all applications received from schools in the area are treated in that context.

The School Planning Section of the Department is currently in the process of completing a full study of the demographics of the area to ensure adequate educational provision is in place at all levels.