Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to tackle the issue of over subscribed primary schools; the number of primary schools that are over subscribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2705/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act 1998 the Board of Management of a school is the body charged with the direct governance of that school.

Parents can choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Bill was published on 6 July 2016 and passed second stage on 17 November 2016. The introduction of this Bill reflects the Programme for Government commitment to publish new School Admissions legislation taking account of current draft proposals and addressing issues including publication of school enrolment policies, an end to waiting lists, introduction of annual enrolment structures, and transparency and fairness in admissions for pupils and their parents.

In relation to the provision of additional school accommodation and of new schools, my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including 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 analyses at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation, including new school provision, is required.

In this regard, following completion of such demographic analysis, three new primary schools and eight new post-primary schools opened in September 2016 to cater for areas under increased demographic pressure.  Four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools will also open in 2017 and 2018 to provide additional capacity in areas under demographic pressure.

It is open to any school to submit an application to my Department if they have identified a deficit of classroom accommodation to meet increasing enrolments or to accommodate an additional teacher appointment. Application forms can be accessed on my Department's website .