Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Wexford taking up a soon to be vacated premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has applied to my Department for major capital funding for a new school building. I can confirm also that I met with a delegation from the school last week relating to their request to relocate to the premises in question.

My Department advised the delegation that the premises, when vacated, is required to meet emerging demographic needs at primary level in the area and that the proposal from the school must be considered in this context. The Deputy will appreciate that my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers. The school authority undertook to consider the Department's position whereby the premises could potentially address the school's accommodation needs while at the same time meet the demographic needs of the area. The school will convey its view to my Department following consideration of the proposal.