Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the research she conducted of population figures to ensure the adequate provision of secondary school places in Ongar, Castaheaney and Littlepace in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4588/16]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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499. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she will take to tackle the shortage of secondary school places in Ongar, Castaheany and Littlepace in Dublin 15, given that the two existing schools are over-subscribed. [4589/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together.

In relation to the areas referenced by the Deputy, my Department is satisfied that there is sufficient post-primary capacity to cater for the students living in these areas. The existing post-primary schools, including the new 1,000 student post-primary which opened in 2014, can between them cater for the demand for places in the area. My Department's priority is to ensure that all schools in an area can between them cater for all students seeking a school place. This may, however, result in students not being offered a place in the school of their first choice.

In relation to the source of the data used in the Department's demographic exercises, my 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, the Department of Social Protection, local authorities and the Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that on 17 November 2015, I announced that 4 new primary schools and 9 new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs.