Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the demand for places in a school (details supplied) it is intended to increase the proposed accommodation of the school from eight mainstream classrooms to nine classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40574/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, construction work on site has commenced on the major building project to provide a new 8 classroom school building for the school referred to.

In that regard, I wish to advise the Deputy that, as the major project is currently on site, it is not possible to extend the accommodation brief or vary the construction contracts at this time. I understand that a variation of the contract brief, as referred to, would require the current construction work to be halted, the project brief to be redesigned, revised statutory approvals, including planning permissions, to be obtained and a new tendering process to be undertaken. This process would delay the current project significantly.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that an analysis of the demographic position in the catchment area by my Department indicates that pupil enrolments are projected to remain stable in the coming years. With 18 schools, including the school referred to, serving the catchment area in question, it is not considered necessary to expand the school, referred to, beyond an 8 classroom school. This position has been explained directly by my Department to the school.