Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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213. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to develop a second-level Educate Together school in County Galway in view of the fact that there are now five growing Educate Together primary schools in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are over 1,400 children whose parents would like them to attend an Educate Together second-level school in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5473/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As you may be aware, 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.

A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under review by the Department.  Galway City is one of these areas.  This review takes account of updated enrolment and child benefit data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to existing schools in the area. Notwithstanding that the Galway City area, including environs, is an area defined as a demographic growth area, it is also an area where certain schools are experiencing a decline in pupil numbers.

With regard to demand for particular models of school provision, it should be noted that the patronage process for new schools is a separate process.  This process is run after it has been decided that a new school is required.  Parental preferences are central to this process and prospective patrons are required to provide evidence of demand for their particular school model and medium of instruction.  These expressions of interest are required to be from parents of primary school children eligible for enrolment in the first five years of the establishment of a proposed new post-primary school.  The process is fair, transparent and open to all patrons, patron bodies and prospective patrons to apply for patronage of any planned new school under this process.