James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school building programme at primary and second level in County Wexford to meet the demand for school places in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31803/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. 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. My Department is currently in the process of completing demographic exercises nationwide. This process is detailed and rigorous and will take some time to complete. It is anticipated that decisions based on these exercises will be announced later in 2017.

My Department's 6 Year Capital Programme prioritises building projects for areas where significant additional school places are required.  Details of the current status of the 7 major school building projects in County Wexford that are included on the Capital Programme are outlined in the attached table for the Deputy's information.

The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed.  Details of such funding approved in all schools, including those in County Wexford, is available on my Department's website which is updated regularly. 

Capital Programme –Major Projects.