James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the shortage of primary school and secondary school places for children in the County Wexford catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52005/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department’s capital programme continues to address the challenge posed by a rapidly increasing school population. To meet this demographic challenge, my Department’s Capital Investment  Programme (2016-2021), details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process towards tender and construction. 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.

There is currently a review underway of the need for school places across our 314 school planning areas, which is expected to identify new needs due to the higher than expected population recorded in the Census. It is anticipated that decisions based on these exercises will be announced shortly.  

As part of my Department's School Capital Investment Programme, seven major building projects in Wexford schools are being progressed, three schools at Primary level and four schools at Post Primary level.