John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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981. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will analyse, the numbers attending primary and secondary schools in Kilkenny city; the projections for each school over the next five to ten years; if she will consider the purchase by her Department of a site at Newpark adjacent to St. John's junior school, or at the old mart site on the Castlecomer Road in Kilkenny, for the development of a second level facility; if her Department has had any discussions with interested parties regarding such a proposal; and if her Department will now take the initiative and open such discussions. [38067/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department is in the process of finalising an exercise to establish the level of provision required at primary and post-primary level, based on the most up to date demographic data available.

In this regard, the Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for additional school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Social Protection in addition to information from the Department's own databases. It also uses data from the local authorities. With all of this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. My Department is currently reviewing the latest nationwide demographic data to assess where additional provision may be required at primary level post-2016. This exercise encompasses all areas of the country, including Kilkenny City and environs.

Any requirements identified as a result of this exercise in Kilkenny City and environs will be progressed in the usual manner through my Department's capital investment programme and local stakeholders will be involved as needed.