Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1664: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application for extra accommodation to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [2215/07]

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

An application has been received in my Department from the school referred to by the Deputy under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007. My Department is currently assessing all applications received from schools for funding under this programme. The list of successful applicants will be published as soon as possible.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1665: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the concerns amongst parents and teaching staff that sufficient plans have not been made by her Department to deal with primary school requirements in view of the rapid population growth in Wicklow Town, as well as in response to the housing proposals put forward in the current version of the Wicklow Town Development Plan; if her Department will make a formal request for an increase in the amount of land zoned community or educational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2232/07]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1666: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the discussions that have taken place with Wicklow county planners in relation to educational provision as part of the new Wicklow Town Development Plan. [2233/07]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1665 and 1666 together.

Under the current Wicklow Town Development Plan approximately 510 acres of land have been zoned for residential purposes. The Local Authority is expecting a population increase in the town of 11,704 persons as per the County Development Plan 2004 — 2010.

Following a full analysis of the Census for 2002, it emerged that, nationally, 11.3% of the population was of primary school going age and 8.5% was of post primary school going age (these percentages will be revised if necessary when a full analysis of the Census for 2006 becomes available). Using the projected population increase this means that there will be a requirement to provide an extra 1,323 primary school places and 995 post primary school places. As in all cases, the Department will be seeking to maximise existing provision where this is possible to meet the shortfall. The Department has as part of the review Wicklow Town Development Plan 2002 requested the local authority to reserve two sites and these will be developed according as the need arises. Taking existing school expansion and potential green field site development together, the Department is satisfied that adequate provision will be made for the area.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1668: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has now considered additional information submitted by the board of management of a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for the erection of a new school in view of the comprehensive information submitted in relation to the current population and demographic change and future additional population of 1,049 people as predicted by Westmeath County Council; her views on the fact that the board has secured a green field site of four acres for a new school as the present site is far too small to accommodate such large numbers both current and projected; and if in this context she will ensure that the board of management are given approval to proceed with the building of this school which is necessary for the school going population in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2255/07]

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

The recent application for major capital funding from the school concerned is being examined by the Department in the context of the published prioritisation criteria for assessing large scale building projects.