Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide further primary and post-primary schools in addition to increased provision within existing schools in an area given the increasing population (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51689/21]

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, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity, to identify where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level. Santry and Northwood are located in Dublin 9 which is partly within each of the Whitehall_SantryD9, Beaumont_CoolockD5 and Drumcondra_Marino_D1 school planning areas.

The most recent projections for all three school planning areas indicate an increase in school requirements at post primary level.  My Department is currently working to examine the capacity of the schools in the area to meet this projected demand.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required,  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.  

A number of capital projects have been recently completed or are currently planned or underway in the Dublin 9 area, including expansions at St. Aidan’s CBS, Dominican College, Clonturk College and Scoil Caitriona.  Furthermore, a new post primary school was announced to be established to serve the Drumcondra_Marino_D1 school planning area and has yet to be established. The additional capacity being provided by all of these projects is being considered in the context of the projected future requirements in the area. 

The most recent projections for the school planning areas do not indicate a requirement for the establishment of a primary school.  My Department will continue to work to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet school place demand.

School place requirements nationally, including in Dublin 9, for both Primary and Post Primary level will continue to be kept under on-going review and in particular will have regard to the impact of the increased rollout of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.