Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the geographical areas within County Wicklow that determine the demand for school places; the data sources being used to determine demand in each geographical area; the frequency with which the models are updated to incorporate increased housing developments and subsequent increase in demand for school places; the issues the models are revealing in terms of demand for school places in the county; the threshold by which the decision is made to allocate a new school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34231/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where a demand for additional school places will arise.

There are ten school planning areas in Wicklow.

- Dunlavin

- Baltinglass

- Hacketstown

- Arklow

- Carnew

- Bray

- Blessington

- Greystones

- Wicklow

- Rathdrum

Included in the data analysed is Child Benefit data and, for the purpose of post primary school place projections, current enrolments in primary schools in the relevant school planning area(s). Also considered is information provided by local authorities in respect of residential development activity in each area, in order to anticipate emerging school place requirements from any planned additional population.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, 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 school

The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review and work on an updated exercise to assess needs for the coming years, including those which may arise in Wicklow is at an advanced stage.