Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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53. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he has taken to alleviate the primary school accommodation crisis for parents living in west Swords in view of the over subscription for a school (details supplied) and the growing demographics that indicate the need for a significant expansion of primary school places for this area of Swords. [31726/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there are 13 primary schools serving the Swords area. My Department has been in direct contact with a number of these schools in respect of their junior infant capacity. In that regard it is understood that two schools in the area have junior places available should parents wish to avail of them for September 2017.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in school planning areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense of another school. While the situation may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that the existing schools in the area can, between them, for this coming September cater for the demand for Junior Infant places.

My Department is also currently reviewing the demographic data for this area with regard to future needs. This review takes account of updated data from CSO, enrolment and child benefit data. This review is currently ongoing as part of the overall demographic analyses of all school planning areas nationwide at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed. This process is detailed and rigorous and will take some time to complete. It is anticipated that decisions based on the review will be announced later in 2017.