Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a second level school for Claregalway, County Galway; if suitable sites have been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33090/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that under the Area Development Plan for South Galway 2007-2012, published by the Commission on School Accommodation in January 2008, provision of a new post primary school for Claregalway is recommended by circa 2016.

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 Claregalway 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.