Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to address any outstanding school place shortages resulting in overcrowded classrooms and high pupil-teacher ratios; if he expects to deal with the most urgent in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18531/16]

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 at primary and post-primary levels. The outcome of the latest demographic exercises was that in November 2015, 13 new schools were announced to open nationwide in 2017 and 2018.

The November 2015 announcement also detailed the major school projects that will commence construction from 2016 - 2021 as part of my Department's Six -Year Capital 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 Deputy will also be aware that the Capital Programme is also progressing school projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-16). In addition, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools, where an immediate accommodation requirement has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.

In that regard, it is open to schools to apply for funding for additional classroom accommodation, where required.

My Department's Forward Planning section will continue to analyse demographic trends and monitor enrolments, to determine the level of additional school provision which may be required to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place.