Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which proposals for a school (details supplied) for north County Kildare continue to progress; when it is expected the final provisions are likely to be agreed and if in accordance with previous indications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36656/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has approved temporary accommodation for Gaelcoláiste Chill Dara and the installation of this accommodation has been devolved to the school authority for delivery. In addition, my Department has approved grant for remedial works to be undertaken to the school building. A consultant has been appointed and tender documents for these works are currently being prepared.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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483. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which primary and secondary school requirement in Leixlip, County Kildare continues to be a priority with a view to meeting the challenge of population growth now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36657/19]

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.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in an area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential developments in each area. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes as there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.

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 will be aware, in April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022), including a new 8 classroom primary school to be established in 2019 to serve the Leixlip school planning area.

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.

The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard to the impact of the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040. My Department will also continue to monitor areas where the accommodation of existing schools may need to be expanded in order to meet the needs of the local population.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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484. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which provisions and proposals remain adequate in respect of primary and post-primary school places to accommodate children in Prosperous, County Kildare; the extent of outstanding proposals in this regard; if progress to date remains in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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485. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which provisions and proposals remain adequate in respect of primary and post primary school places to accommodate children in Clane, County Kildare; the extent of outstanding proposals in this regard; if progress to date remains in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.

Under project Ireland 2040, my Department continues to make progress to increase the infrastructural capacity in the schools sector, in order to meet demographic and other demands.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under project Ireland 2040. I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale projects being delivered under project Ireland 2040 may be viewed on my Department's website,and 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.

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. Details of schools listed on this programme can be found on my Department's website www.education.ieand this information is also updated regularly.

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. Approximately 40% of extra school places are delivered by extending existing schools. 

In April 2018, the Government announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement followed 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. A new 16 classroom primary school (established in September 2019) in Ashbourne and a new special school in Dublin 15 were also announced in 2019 bringing the overall total to 44. While the announcement did not include a new school for the Prosperous_Clane school planning area, the requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and will have regard for the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.