James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress regarding a new school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34893/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has submitted an application for capital funding for a new school.

The school's request must be considered in the context of the financial constraints imposed by the need, as outlined in the Five Year Plan, to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation to meet demographic demand. The area where the school is situated has not been identified as an area of demographic growth and I understand that this is a two teacher school with an enrolment of 27 pupils.

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 numbers. This will continue to be the main focus for investment by my Department in the coming years. My Department is not therefore in a position, at this point, to indicate when a new school can be provided for the school in question.