Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions put in place to progress the building of schools in the Dublin 15 area to meet the demand for school places for the 2021 term. [44456/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the current status of large-scale building projects and Additional Accommodation Projects being delivered, including projects in Dublin 15, may be viewed on my Department's website, and this information is updated regularly.

My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional school places in a number of school planning areas including the school planning area to which the Deputy refers.

Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.

Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those in the school planning area in question, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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398. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a planned building project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44471/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, from the school in question. Once the application process has been completed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.