Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 398: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of post primary principals appointed in the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; the number of teachers appointed each year by school type that is, vocational school, voluntary secondary school and community schools; the number of those appointed principals who were previously deputy principals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17828/10]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of principals her Department estimates will be needed in the years 2010 to 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17829/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of contributory variables in relation to the demand for new school principals. Foremost of these is the number of retirements among serving principals of which non-compulsory retirements is the biggest factor. While the number of non-compulsory retirements in respect of the next ten years is not known, the recent retirement trends of principal teachers may be indicative.

Retirement figures for principal teachers for the past three years are:

Year Primary Post-Primary

2007 167 54

2008 173 56

2009 321 100

This is based on Department held data with a pro-rata adjustment to include VEC schools.

The number of new schools and school closures will also impact on the demand for new principals. The Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social & Family Affairs with reference to recent schools' enrolment data. The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in more than 40 identified locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas.

Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis and reports for each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the required reports have been completed for the initial areas 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 will be analysed as part of this process.