Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the development of a secondary school for Hollystown, Dublin 15 will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10412/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. 

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

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.

For school planning purposes, Hollystown is located in the Mulhuddart_Tyrrelstown_D15 school planning area and as the Deputy may be aware, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school was established in 2014 to serve this school planning area.

While the recent announcement did not include a new post-primary school in the area, 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.