Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for increasing the number of places at the gaelsoileanna in Clondalkin to meet the growing demand for these places from local families. [9129/14]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for improving the facilities at the gaelscoileanna in Clondalkin specifically by providing funding for schools to provide classrooms for their pupils in place of the existing prefabs. [9131/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 278 together.

As the Deputy is aware, 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 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced in March 2012 is focused on meeting this demand.

I can confirm that the two gaelscoileanna in Clondalkin have submitted applications for capital funding for new schools. The current status of all projects on the school building programme, including the schools referred to by the Deputy, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department recently approved funding to one of the gaelscoileanna to build 2 mainstream classrooms. Pending the provision of improved accommodation, it is open to the school authorities to submit an application for additional mainstream accommodation should the current accommodation be insufficient to cater for any increasing enrolments.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of gaelscoil places available in the Dublin 22 area in 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will provide an estimate of the current level of demand for places in these schools. [9130/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Dublin 22 is in the Clondalkin feeder area. There are two Gaelscoileanna in this area. The schools' total enrolment details are: 2011/12 = 517; 2012/13 = 515.

The number of pupils enrolled in individual schools is provided in the National School Annual Census. Results from the Census for the current school year (2013/2014) are being finalised at present. Publication of all data at primary level and a final list of schools and their enrolments will be on my Department's website by the end of the school year. The Deputy should be aware that enrolment is not tantamount to capacity in a school as the capacity of a school is contingent on a number of issues such as the current pupil/teacher ratio, whether or not a school has DEIS status and whether or not a school has temporary accommodation to increase its capacity. Primary schools also generally have a range of other rooms which they may, from time to time, use as general classroom space to cater for increasing enrolment demands.

My Department is currently analysing demographic data across the country, including that for the Clondalkin feeder area, to ensure that any additional demand for places can be met in a timely manner. In the meantime, my Department recently approved funding to build 2 mainstream classrooms in one of the Gaelscoileanna in question to meet immediate demand for additional places.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabs being used by gaelscoileanna in Dublin 22. [9132/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A list of Gaelscoileanna that have rented prefabricated buildings is attached for the Deputy's attention. My Department does not hold information in the sub-county format as requested. Schools that are included on my Department's 5 Year Capital Programme and Prefab Replacement Initiatives are highlighted, as these will have their temporary accommodation replaced with permanent buildings. Please note that a prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation.

*Included in Prefab Replacement Programme.

**Included in 5 Year Programme.