John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30369/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that enrolments at the school to which he refers have declined by 31% over the last 5 years to the level of four mainstream class teachers.

The Deputy will be aware 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. To ensure that this is achieved, the delivery of major school projects to meet significant demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The Five Year Construction Programme that I announced in 2012 is focused on meeting this demand. My Department is satisfied that the school has sufficient accommodation to meet its current needs.