Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the future development of school campuses in view of the expected 100,000 increase in pupil numbers in the next ten years; his further views on the continued feasibility of one and two teacher schools in view of same and on the continued feasibility of having separate schools cater for each and every religious denomination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44354/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is indeed open to the concept of multi-school campus arrangements as this can have many positive outcomes, including the reduction in land take required for school development. The Forward Planning Section of my Department will always convey this to Local Authorities when requesting site reservations for educational purposes as part of a Local Area Plan or a County Development Plan.

The Deputy will be aware that I have recently announced a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools under the Commission on School Accommodation. A number of policy issues have to be considered as part of the review, including the issue of both minimum and maximum school sizes and the question of diversity of school provision. It is expected that this review will be completed and the revised arrangements put in place within a two year time frame.

In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupils numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools. This means that new schools will not be established for reasons unrelated to demographic growth in areas where there is already sufficient school accommodation or where increases can be catered for by extending existing school accommodation.