James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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103. 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 Wexford town district area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53370/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, 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 essential mainstream classrooms to meet the demand for extra school places and in cases where additional teachers have been appointed.

The progression of the seven school building projects for the Wexford schools included in the 6 Year Construction Plan will assist in meeting enrolment demand.  As with other school planning areas nationwide, my Department is continuing to monitor the demographic data for the area referred to, taking into account updated child benefit data, the impact of planned expansion of school capacity and developments in the school planning areas adjacent to Wexford town.

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.