Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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241. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4343/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question submitted an application for major capital funding to my Department to construct a new school.

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). 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.

While the announcement did not include a new post primary school for the Wexford town area (which is located in the Wexford school planning area), the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.

Given the need to meet demographic growth, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects identified by my Department’s 6 year construction programme to meet future demand, will remain the focus of my Department’s budget for the coming years.