Vol. 449 No. 2
53 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Education if her Department has identified those areas of County Louth which will most likely require additional primary level accommodation taking into account anticipated increases in population which are occurring in some areas of Louth; if she will list these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3410/95]
The most up-to-date demographic data for County Louth available to my Department indicates that, overall, the demand for primary school places in the county will decline significantly in the foreseeable future. My Department accepts, however, that in the major centres of population within the county, such as Drogheda and Dundalk, this trend may be offset to some extent by factors such as new housing developments and families moving into these areas. However, even in these centres, the number of pupils entering primary school has declined in recent years and this pattern is expected to continue.
Any application for additional primary school accommodation, arising from an increase in the population in any given area within the county would be given careful and sympathetic consideration.
