Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1158: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to establish a developing areas unit in his Department to liaise with local authorities, identify locations where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29416/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Developing Areas Unit to liaise with local authorities, identify where new schools are needed and ensure that they are delivered in the fastest possible timeframe. This Unit was established early in 2008.

This fast-track approach to the provision of school buildings delivered 26 major building projects in 2008 providing accommodation for about 7,000 students and ensured there was no shortage of pupil places. Twenty of these buildings consist of eight-classroom units and the remainder are 16-classroom units. They are located in areas which have experienced rapid population growth over the past number of years.

Vital to the successful delivery of the programme in 2008 was the co-operation of the relevant local authorities who worked closely with my Department on the acquisition of sites and on general pre-planning issues.

A further "rapid delivery" programme of urgently required new schools is being delivered in time for September 2009 opening.

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards.

Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.