Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate the process followed and the conditions which had to be satisfied in the selection of the locations of new schools and those schools to receive new extensions under the recently announced five year school building plan. [14759/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, total school enrolments are expected to grow by around 70,000 students between now and 2018 – by over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary. Second level enrolment is expected to continue to rise until at least 2024. Recent birth rate data, published by the CSO shows there were nearly 20,000 births registered in the first quarter of 2011. This is the highest number of births registered in a quarter since the series began in 1960. It is vital that the schooling system is prepared to cope with these increasing numbers. Therefore, the Government's priority is now to focus on major school projects to meet these demographic demands.

The Five Year Plan prioritises new school building projects as well as major extensions in areas where a demographic need has been established. School building projects currently in architectural planning were considered in the context of that programme, taking into account the funding available, the availability of sites in the case of new schools and the progression of other major projects required to meet demographic needs. In that regard, the scheduling of selected projects depends also on when such projects are technically ready to proceed to tender and construction.

In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme is focused on meeting those demographic needs.