Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils likely to be accommodated based on demographic indicators and the submissions received for the provision of primary and second level school accommodation throughout north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49828/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including the following new schools to serve County Kildare:

- A new 8 classroom primary school to serve the Leixlip school planning area to be established in 2019;

- A new 8 classroom primary school to serve the Maynooth school planning area to be established in 2019;

- A new 8 classroom primary school to serve the Naas school planning area to be established in 2021; and

- A new 500 pupil post-primary school to serve the Kilcock school planning area to be established in 2020.

This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by my 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.

In addition to the new schools announced, there will be a need for further school accommodation in other areas in the future. Based on the current analysis, this need can be addressed through either planned capacity increases in existing schools or additional accommodation or extensions to existing schools.

The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular would have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

In the context of requests from school authorities seeking additional or replacement accommodation, I can confirm to the Deputy that there were applications, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from 8 primary schools and 9 post-primary schools in County Kildare in 2018.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects, including those in County Kildare, being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ieand this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.