Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in respect of post primary schools in Dundalk, County Louth, the maximum student accommodation; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of pupils in each school; the gender numbers of each school; the projected accommodation need for the years 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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For the Deputy's convenience, I am setting out below a table showing enrolment details at the schools to which he refers together with details of current or proposed building projects at a number of these schools.

At the current pupil intake levels, the current projected increase in post-primary numbers in Dundalk will be in the region of 800 pupils up to 2023.

My priority is to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet projected pupil enrolment increases into the future. The 5 Year Plan that I announced in March last as part of a €2 billion capital investment programme outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. These have been prioritised on the basis of meeting significant demographic needs. The Plan includes the new post primary school for Dundalk, County Louth that will provide 1,000 additional post primary places, and is scheduled to commence operation in September 2014.

Breakdown of Enrolments at Post-Primary Schools in Dundalk Co. Louth for 2012/13

There is currently a number of building projects proposed or under construction at the above schools as outlined below: St. Mary’s College – Proposed new 900 pupil school – project is in the Department’s 5-year plan to go to construction in 2015/16; De La Salle College – recently approved a devolved grant to provide additional accommodation of 597m² including 3 specialist rooms and 3 general classrooms; Dundalk Grammar School – extension currently under construction to provide for 500 pupils; and New 1,000 pupil post-primary school planned for 2014.