Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department have contacted Kerry County Council with regard to areas zoned educational in the county development plan. [35398/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The process of assessing the need for new or additional accommodation facilities at primary or post primary level in any given area entails consideration of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and existing school capacity to meet current or future demand.

As part of the process, my Department is included among the prescribed authorities to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development plans or variations to development plans. As a matter of course meetings are arranged with local authorities to establish the location, scale and pace of housing developments and their implication for both current and future school provision. In this regard, the Deputy may wish to note that my Department is examining the 'Issues Document' published by Kerry County Council with a view to seeking further engagement and discussions with the planning authority as their review of the current Development Plan progresses.

In general, the Office of Public Works acts on behalf of the Department in relation to site acquisitions, including the investigation of suitable sites.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her Department's source for demographic trends and housing developments in the Tralee area. [35399/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Generally my Department will use a variety of information sources when examining demographic trends and housing developments. In the area referred to by the Deputy, these include inter alia the Census, County Development Plans/Town Development Plans, Local Area Plans as well as current and project enrolment patterns.