David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has projected future needs for extra primary school places in the Midleton area in east Cork, given ongoing and planned local housing developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14156/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Requirements for additional school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity. 

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 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.

Where demographic 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:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

There are 21 primary schools in the Midleton_Carrigtwohill school planning area. The most recent projections, at primary level, for the School Planning Area indicate decreasing enrolments since a peak in enrolments in 2021.  My Department has already provided significant additional capacity in the Midleton area, with new 24 classroom primary schools completed for Midleton ETNS and Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann in recent years.  Additionally a number of other primary school building projects are in train in the area, including new school buildings for Scoil Clíodhna CNS and Scoil Mhuire Naofa in Carrigtwohill, and extensions for Scoil Chlochair Mhuire in Carrigtwohill, Midleton CBS, and Ballintotas NS, Castlemartyr..  

My  Department will continue to liaise with the Local Authority in respect to all planned additional residential developments and take this into consideration when assessing the demand for school accommodation in the area.