Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be enough primary school places specifically for junior infants in Balbriggan, County Dublin, for September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48825/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. 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.

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 within a school or schools

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools

- Provision of a new school or schools

As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Balbriggan school planning area is being reviewed by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data.  It is anticipated that these exercises will be concluded shortly.