Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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897. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role of the education and training boards as it relates to provision and planning for new primary or secondary schools in their areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41536/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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It is the function of the Department's Forward Planning Section to determine where additional school infrastructure might be needed. In this regard, it uses a Geographical Information System to analyse demographic data in order to determine the locations where additional school accommodation might be required. A variety of data sources are used in this analysis, including census data, school enrolment data, and child benefit data obtained from the Department of Social Protection.

As a matter of course, the Department liaises with school patrons, including Education and Training Boards, in relation to local school needs. Education and Training Boards may also apply for the patronage of any new schools that are being established.