Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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437. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 1 February 2022, the details of the geographical information system which anticipates school place demand for Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6512/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined to the Deputy previously, 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 (GIS), using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

The GIS is an important management information tool to assist in the planning and monitoring of capital projects at a local and national level.

The most recent analysis undertaken by my Department projects that over 76% of the 314 school planning areas at primary level have stable or decreasing projected enrolments for the period to 2025, whereas some 88% of the school planning areas at post-primary level are anticipated to have increased enrolments for the period to 2028, with most expected to reach a peak in the next two or three years.

The level of demand volume across school planning areas with an increasing net requirement ranges from small to medium increases that are likely to be accommodated by existing schools through to significant projected growth that may require additional provision.

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 in the context of available information on population, enrolments, existing school capacity and residential development activity. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with Cork City Council and Cork County Council in respect of their Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.