Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 330: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will include the primary and post-primary accommodation requirements of an area (details supplied); if priority will be given to work on preparing reports for same area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47211/09]

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

The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis of over 40 locations of highest population growth in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas selected the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country. Overall primary and post-primary accommodation requirements in the area referred to will be considered in this regard. In the meantime, my Department is satisfied that the four existing post primary schools in the area referred to by the Deputy have adequate provision between them to cater for current demand.

The question of enrolment in individual schools is the responsibility of the managerial authority of those schools and the Department does not seek to intervene in decisions made by schools in such matters. The Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 331: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if areas in counties (details supplied) have been included in his forward planning section's analysis of highest population growth to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47212/09]

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

The forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a detailed analysis of the entire country, including the counties referred to by the Deputy, to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision over the coming years. This study indicated that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 selected locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas.

The Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out an analysis of each of these locations, including two areas in one of the counties referred to by the Deputy in order to identify the school accommodation requirements up to and including the school year 2014/15. When the required reports have been completed for these initial areas the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country.