Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of resources at his disposal to meet the challenge of the increase in population and consequent requirement for the provision of adequate school places and facilities at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43371/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Based on my Departments most recent projections (July 2012) it is expected that enrolments will increase at primary level by almost 76,800 pupils by 2018, from circa 516,000 pupils in the 2011/12 school year. At post primary level the increase by 2018 is expected to be approximately 31,300 pupils from circa 322,500 pupils in the 2011/12 school year. In November 2011 the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework was launched and my Department secured funding of €2.210 billion for the five year period. From that allocation €1.5 billion is dedicated to the delivery of large scale projects in both the primary and post-primary sectors and €275m will be expended on the provision of extra classrooms under the Additional Accommodation Scheme. This proposed level of expenditure on large scale projects and additional accommodation indicates that 80% of the available funding over the five year period is earmarked for the provision of school places.