John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding for school extensions is exclusively being used for that purpose; if consideration has been given in any instances to fund new school buildings using this funding stream; and if such a funding stream could be considered for projects such as an Educate Together second level school in Dublin. [27858/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department continues to analyse demographic data to identify where new primary and post-primary schools will be required. It is open to all patron bodies, including Educate Together, to apply for patronage of any such schools in line with the established patronage determination process. Following the process for determining patronage of new schools, which was overseen by the New Schools Establishment Group, two new post-primary schools under the Patronage of Educate Together will open in Dublin, one on the North side of Dublin in Blanchardstown West in 2014 and the other post-primary school will open in Balbriggan in 2016.

The Five Year Construction Plan, that I announced in March 2012, lists the individual school projects that are planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the Plan. The Plan priorities new school building projects as well as major extensions in areas where significant demographic need has been established so that our school system is in a position to cater for increasing pupil numbers.

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. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by my Department in the coming years.