Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the minimum and maximum number of pupils required in order for future second level schools to be built in a parish in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53807/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2011, I announced that 20 new post-primary schools would be established over the next six years. This announcement arose from the study undertaken by the Forward Planning Section in my Department, of the country to identify the areas, where, due to significant demographic changes, there would be a requirement for additional school accommodation. The decision to establish new schools in these areas arose from detailed analysis of child benefit data and enrolments in existing primary schools. In addition, an examination of the existing post-primary schools and their capacity to expand to cater for additional students was undertaken. The vast majority of new post-primary schools to be established over the next six years will be built to cater for between 750 and 1,000 pupils.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline in detail the primary school population in the parish of Duleek/Bellewstown, County Meath, that is served by schools (details supplied); the current second level capacity that covers this catchment area and the projected growth in second level requirements over the coming years; if he envisages a necessity for a new second level school in the area to meet education needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53808/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The total enrolment in the schools referred to by the Deputy for 2011-12 is 301 pupils, 279 pupils, 90 pupils, 99 pupils and 72 pupils respectively. The primary schools referred to are located in the Drogheda and Ashbourne post-primary feeder areas. The total post-primary enrolment for 2011-12 in the Drogheda feeder area was 4,283 pupils. The total enrolment in the Ashbourne feeder area for 2011-12 was 1,007 pupils. In June 2011, I announced that 20 new post-primary schools would be established over the next six years. This announcement included a new post-primary school for Drogheda and a new post-primary school for Ashbourne. It is not envisaged that any other new post-primary school will be required in this general area up to 2017.