David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 687, 688 and 689 of 6 July 2010 and 274 of 30 June 2010, the further progress that has been made in determining the number of new school places that will be required at second level in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill areas of east Cork and the entire east Cork area; the steps she is taking to ensure sufficient second level places will be available to all students seeking second level places in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34095/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent projections used by my Department would see the projected enrolments at post-primary level increase from the current total enrolment (excluding PLCs) of circa 312,200 pupils to an expected enrolment circa 328,700 pupils by the year 2016. Meeting this level of significant increased demand for education services will be a major challenge.

It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall post-primary requirements in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill areas and the remainder of East Cork area, will be considered in this context.

In addition to this I have recently announced the setting up of a new framework in relation to the establishment of new second-level schools and their patronage, whereby an expert Group to be known as the Second-Level Patronage Advisory Group will consider applications for new schools and advise me in relation to those applications, having undertaken survey work of parental views and using the criteria to be set down.

The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis will be considered in the context of my Department's School Building and Modernisation Programme.