Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he has put in place to arrange for an increased pupil intake as per the demand of incoming school children at a school (details supplied) in north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that officials from my Department recently met with representatives of the school referred to and it was agreed that a further meeting would be convened within the coming weeks.

It was agreed also that this would allow adequate time for updated demographic data, taking into account overall current and projected pupil numbers in the area, and the enrolment position in the case of the school in question and other schools in the area; the various factors that contribute to the compilation and operation of any waiting lists; the impact of expansion of school capacity in the case of this school on other schools in the area to be clarified and assessed. As part of this process, this further information was supplied by the school to the Department recently. The information is currently being considered and the Department expects to be in further contact with the school authority and Patron in relation to the data assessment process. 

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered the business case for providing an allocation of teachers based on the demand for school places; the innovations he plans to bring to the ongoing issue of demand exceeding supply and the strain this causes on schools administratively and also on families that worry for years regarding the provision of education for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4036/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

The Staffing Schedule includes the provision where schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds. The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. This process includes a provision in which schools that are not gaining an additional teaching post under the developing schools criterion can submit an appeal to the independent Appeals Board. This appeal criterion is targeted at those schools that make a significant contribution to the provision of school places and so assist the response to demographic growth within their area. 

The Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Department of Social Protection, in addition to the Department’s own databases. With this information, the Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.  

On foot of the last nationwide demographic analyses, the establishment of four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools to open in 2017 and 2018 was announced.  As part of this announcement, it was also stated that a range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under ongoing review by the Department. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that every child has access to a school place - however, this may not always be in the school of their first choice. 

Where the demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of this additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools

- Provision of a new school(s).

In relation to new school provision, four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to provide additional school places in areas experiencing significant demographic pressure. My Department is keeping all school planning areas under review to take account of updated data and the impact of ongoing and planned capacity increases in these areas. My Department is focussed on ensuring that every child has access to a school place - however, this may not always be in the school of their first choice. 

Budget 2017 sets out the resources available for schools for the 2017/18 school year. This Budget represents the start of a major reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade.

The budget provides for over 2,400 additional teaching posts for our primary and post-primary schools in the next school year. This includes additional teaching posts to meet demographic need, curriculum reform, additional resource teaching posts and the strengthening of school leadership.