Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

721. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 6 April 2016, the year in which her Department performed the analysis regarding the need for a seventh junior infants class in a school (details supplied) in County Dublin and concluded that there was spare capacity available in other schools of the same ethos serving the same area. [7017/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

722. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 6 April 2016, if she has completed an analysis of the capacity available and the demand for places in schools of the same ethos in the same area for the school year beginning in September 2016; and the results of both analyses, including the number of spare places available in each school for which the last estimated numbers are acceptable if concrete numbers are unavailable. [7018/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

723. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 6 April 2016, when she will make a decision on the application referred to. [7019/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 721 to 723, inclusive, together.

Projections for the area in question were examined in 2014 as part of a nationwide review of demographic data. This review indicated a spike in Junior Infant demand for September 2014 which was expected to level off in 2015, 2016 and beyond. At that time there were two schools in the area with the same ethos that had lost or were due to lose mainstream teaching posts. Those schools had spare capacity within their buildings and had expressed a willingness to accept an additional stream of Junior Infants each, to alleviate any pupil enrolment pressure in the area.

My Department is currently analysing pupil enrolment date in a range of areas across the country where demographic pressure is being experienced. The area to which the Deputy refers will be examined as part of this process at both primary and post-primary level.

In the meantime, my Department has contacted a number of primary schools in the area in question and the school referred to by the Deputy has expressed the view that it is not in a position to expand to enroll an additional stream in September 2016. Other schools in the area have some spare capacity and one school has indicated a willingness to enroll an additional stream of junior infants in September 2016, if necessary, to alleviate any demand for school places in the area and has accommodation immediately available to facilitate this. My Department will continue to monitor the position closely with the schools in question.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has recently applied to my Department for capital funding to replace existing temporary accommodation and to provide four additional Special Education rooms and a General Purpose room. The application is currently being considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authority once the assessment process is completed.