Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 567: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his criteria for designating schools as being in developing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35474/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government commits my Department to establishing a Developing Areas Unit to identify where new schools are needed and to ensure that these schools are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe.

The process of assessing the need for new or additional educational 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 the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places. Liaison with existing schools is also an important part of the process. In this way, every effort is made to ensure that there is adequate existing provision and that timely arrangements are made to extend capacity or provide new infrastructure where necessary.

In addition, Local Authorities are obliged by statute to refer draft local area development plans to the Department for observation and comment so that lands can be zoned for future education use. There are numerous sites reserved for education purposes, particularly in the rapidly developing areas, under this process so as to ensure that there will be sufficient land set aside and available for the future development of education infrastructure.

Over and above the statutory consultation provisions in relation to local authority draft area development plans, my Department has in recent years worked to strengthen contacts with local authorities to enable informed decisions to be made in planning future educational provision.

My Department also makes extensive use of data from the Census of Population for a variety of purposes including long-term projections of enrolment at national and local level. The census results for 2006 are of use in identifying broad trends in total population by county and local area. My Department also uses census data when drafting its own area development plans and planning school provision for likely enrolment at local area level.

My Department is satisfied that the approach which it is now taking to the identification and delivery of extra school places in rapidly developing areas will help to ensure that those places will be provided when and where they are needed.

The specific areas which were targeted in 2008 by the Developing Areas Unit are as follows. Ashbourne, Athlone, Athy, Balbriggan, Belmayne, Carlow Town, Carrigaline, Celbridge, Doughiska, Drogheda, Duleek, Dunboyne, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Gorey, Greystones, Kilcock, Kill, Kinnegad, Lucan, Lusk, Maynooth, Midleton, Mullingar, Naas, Newbridge, Newcastle, Phoenix Park, Portlaoise, Ratoath, Saggart, Skerries, Swords, Rochestown, Tallaght, Tramore, Trim and Tullamore.

Further areas will be identified by my Department for specific consideration in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the relevant Local Authorities.