Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary school places and class requirements in County Kildare continue to be met; if class sizes fall within the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35501/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that it is my Department's intention to fully implement the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021).

As the Deputy is aware, the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced last November, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, including those listed for County Kildare, though the various stages of the architectural planning and construction process as outlined in the Plan.

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 also progresses school projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-2016). In addition, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools, where an immediate enrolment need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.

Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website. 

The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to class sizes at primary level. The most recent published information relates to the 2015/2016 school year. Statistics in relation to the current school year will be published in 2017 when the data has been compiled.

The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). School authorities are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.