Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the projected demand for primary and post-primary school places in the Roscommon-Galway constituency over the next five years; and the plans in place to meet that demand. [22334/26]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that requirement for 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 CSO census data, 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.

Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the 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.

If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be coeducational.

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

There are 13 school planning areas in the Roscommon-Galway Constituency- Ballinasloe, Ballygar, Glenamaddy, Carrick-on-Shannon, Drumshanbo, Ballaghadereen, Boyle, Castlerea, Elphin, Roscommon, Strokestown, Lanesboro and Athlone.

Total primary school enrolments in 10 of the 13 SPAs have reached peak enrolment and are now reducing. Enrolments in Ballinasloe, Boyle and Castlerea SPAs continue to rise and are projected to peak in the coming years. Junior infant enrolments have peaked in all SPAs in this constituency.

Total post primary school enrolments in 10 of the 13 SPAs continue to rise and are projected to peak in the coming years. Total post primary school enrolments in Ballinasloe, Castlerea and Lanesboro SPAs have peak and are now reducing. First year enrolments have peaked in 9 of the 13 SPAs.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme in these areas may be viewed on my department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

The department will continue to liaise with Roscommon and Galway County Councils in respect of their county development plans and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.