Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the proposed new second level school in County Wicklow in view of the fact that there is at least one other school that has the capacity to meet the demographic needs of the community; and if he is satisfied with the level of consultation with existing schools in the area prior to the decision to the establish a new school. [51662/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). 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. Considering the level of need in the area in question, a new 600 pupil post-primary school will be established in 2019 to serve the demograpahic need in Wicklow school planning area. The new school will also facilitate any further expansion that may be required in the area in the future.