Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extra school accommodation required at primary and second level in County Kildare with reference to demographic pressure; if each area is in a position to avail of adequate resources to meet the provisions required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8593/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she assesses the need for primary or secondary level school places in Celbridge in County Kildare; if she is satisfied with the adequacy of provisions in place or anticipated, having regard to demographic trends; if specific initiatives are required to meet future demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8614/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to meet school place requirements at primary and secondary level as set out by the school authorities in Clane, County Kildare, given population trends; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8616/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she monitors primary and secondary level school place requirements at Maynooth in County Kildare; the degree to which she will meet said requirements in the short to medium term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8617/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 85, 87 and 88 together.

My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed. The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, I announced the establishment of 13 new schools to open nationwide in 2017 and 2018.

The school planning areas in County Kildare are experiencing some demographic growth, however, not to such an extent that would currently warrant new school provision. These areas are being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to existing schools in the school planning areas.

I also announced, in November 2015, the major school projects, including those for Kildare, that will commence construction from 2016 - 2021 as part of my Six-Year Programme. The programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. The Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools outside the plan where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher. In addition, the Programme prioritises projects that have a major deficit of mainstream accommodation capacity for current enrolments, require major refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation and projects to provide additional accommodation to meet increases in enrolments.

The Deputy will be aware that extensions to two primary schools in Clane were approved under the 5-Year Plan. One project has been completed and the other is progressing through architectural planning. Also, in recent years four new schools have opened in County Kildare, comprising two new primary schools which opened in 2012 and 2013 and two new post-primary schools which opened in 2014 and 2015.

The current status of all projects, including those in County Kildare, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.