Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will continue to make adequate provision for primary and secondary level school places in County Kildare, having regard to the emerging demography; if he will to have to make adjustments to meet demand, with particular reference to towns and villages experiencing the greatest growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11121/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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 school planning areas in County Kildare are experiencing some demographic growth, however, not to such an extent that would currently warrant the provision of new schools. These areas are being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data and the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to schools within the planning areas.

In November 2015, my predecessor announced the major school projects, including those for Kildare, that will commence construction from 2016 - 2021 as part of my Departments Six-Year Programme. The programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions 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 deficit of mainstream accommodation for projected enrolments, require refurbishment and replacement of poor accommodation.

The Deputy will be aware that extensions to two primary schools in Clane were approved under the Five-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.