Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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533. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the projected figures for the primary school population in Moate, County Westmeath, for the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14692/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that 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 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.  Moate School Planning Area has 8 primary schools in total. Enrolments in these primary schools increased slightly over the last number of years and peaked in 2021 with an indication that enrolments will decrease slightly from 2022 onwards.

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 Westmeath County Council in respect of their Development Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across the county.