Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the establishment of a secondary school on Inisbofin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57308/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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New schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.

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.

There is currently one primary school on Inisbofin with a total enrolment of 14 pupils in 2020/21. Given the low population numbers on the island, it is not anticipated that a new post-primary will be established within the foreseeable future.

However, the Department of Education will continue to be represented on the Inter-Departmental Committee for the Development of the Islands led by the Department of Rural and Community Development.