Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such 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 with a school or schools,

-Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

-Provision of a new school or schools.

Following completion of such demographic analyses, four new primary schools and nine new post-primary schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs nationwide. As part of the announcement of these new schools, it was noted that a range of areas nationwide, including Kinnegad (which is in the Killucan school planning area), are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under review.

As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Killucan school planning area is being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data.