Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to build a new secondary school in Glanmire, County Cork, due to the increasing population and the existing shortage of school places in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39846/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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, utilising data from a range of sources including information on planned and current residential development, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. Glanmire is situated in the Riverstown_Glanmire school planning area.

Major new residential developments in a school planning area have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each local authority to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area. My Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within the particular area and its ability to meet increased demand.

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 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.

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 the Riverstown_Glanmire school planning area, is at an advanced stage.

Furthermore, my Department currently has an application on hand for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh (62301N). This application is currently under assessment and once complete, my Department will be in touch with the school authorities.

In addition to ongoing demographic analyses, my Department continues to liaise with Cork County Council in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision in all areas of Cork. My Department engages further on such matters with the Council through the review of the County Development Plan, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.