Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in the facilitation of an extension for a school (details supplied) with particular reference to demographic demand in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23625/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Capital Programme (2016-2021) continues to address the challenges posed by the significant bulge in pupil enrolments going through our schools. This has seen a significant expansion in the rate of provision of new school places. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process, including those schools in County Kildare. 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. My Department has received an application for capital funding from the primary school referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy. The application will be considered and a decision will be conveyed to the school authorities as soon as the assessment process has been completed.

I wish to advise the Deputy of my recent announcement regarding the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by the Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has set out on its website at www.education.ie- Building Works, the current status of building projects and this is updated regularly.