Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provision that will be included in the capital plan regarding school facilities and increased capacity to reflect the increased development in view of the extensive land rezoning in the mid-east region and the large development proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

My Department is included among the prescribed bodies to whom local authorities are statutorily obliged to send draft development and local area plans or proposed variations to development plans for comment and observations. This enables local authorities to reserve future school sites in areas designated for proposed housing development.  

My Department’s 6 Year Capital Programme prioritises building projects for areas where there is increased demography.  The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed.

All school planning areas nationwide are being kept under ongoing review by my Department. This review takes account of updated data from CSO, enrolment and child benefit data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to schools in these areas.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the need for a new school campus on the Curragh, County Kildare, to improve the facilities available for children in the area and increase capacity in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24732/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Six-Year Capital Programme priorities building projects for areas of demographic growth. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. 

While my Department is aware that some consideration is been given locally to applying for replacement accommodation for the Curragh primary schools, no proposals in this regard have been received.  Additional post-primary capacity is currently being provided in Newbridge and my Department will continue to monitor demographics to identify where additional school places will be required nationally, including in County Kildare.