Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the acute shortage of places in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 which had to significantly reduce its catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24781/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has made significant interventions in the Dublin 15 area in response to the acknowledged need for considerable extra school places for the area. The particular part of Dublin 15 to which the Deputy refers is now served by three primary schools one of which was established by the Department this year. Another is operating from a purpose built 24 classroom building and plans are being advanced to expand the third to a 32 classroom facility.

All three of the schools worked closely together this year to implement enrolment policies to ensure that all eligible pupils acquired places. I want to take the opportunity to commend the school authorities for their approach in this regard. The Department is monitoring the situation and will be making extra accommodation available for 2008 if this is necessary. In this regard, the Department has requested Fingal County Council to immediately acquire a reserved site under the Fingal School Model Agreement process to meet current and future needs.