Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are sufficient primary school places in a town (details supplied) in County Cork to accommodate the projected intake of junior infants in September 2008; the number of children on the enrolment book of various primary schools in the town; and the steps her Department is taking to ensure that every child in the town will have a place in a school in the town in September 2008. [29492/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware that Carrigaline and its surrounding environs are experiencing population growth particularly in the projected pupil population, a position that almost inevitably places some strain on existing educational provision. In this regard, officials from my Department recently met with the Patron and representatives from the majority of the national schools in the area to discuss this issue with a view to ensuring that there is adequate capacity for eligible pupils. The Department is monitoring the situation in conjunction with the schools on an ongoing basis. However, the Deputy should note that owing to a high incidence of duality across pre-enrolment lists, together with inward and outward migration, and the practice of accepting multiple school places, access to such enrolment data alone will not fully or adequately inform the Department when planning additional school places. It is open to the school authorities to apply for additional accommodation where necessary and my Department has made it clear to the schools that same will be provided when requested. As with all areas experiencing significant population growth, the situation will continue to be monitored to ensure that there are sufficient places to meet demand from eligible pupils into the future.