Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assessment which is carried out in respect of class sizes, school accommodation and other educational resources following the publication of the census of population; when such an assessment takes place, the way in which it is progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31401/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department uses data from the Census combined with information from the Primary and Post Primary Pupil Databases to develop projections of full time enrolment at primary and post-primary level. My Department uses also CSO data as one of the key data sources used in the DEIS identification process.

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts in primary and post primary schools is published annually on my Department's 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.

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 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 exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.