Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2009
664 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of the forward planning section review of the additional accommodation which will be required at primary and post primary level for 2009 and onwards in the Athlone, County Westmeath area; if this review includes primary and post primary schools in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28093/09]
View answerForward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school capacity at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.
The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in a total of 42 locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. The process of circulating this information to all existing school Patrons has commenced and it will be open to Patrons to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.
Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out detailed accommodation requirement reports for these locations which will identify the accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. School accommodation requirements in the Athlone area and its environs, including parts of South Roscommon, will be considered as part of this detailed study of the 42 areas identified. It is expected that the report on the Athlone area will be completed in the coming weeks.
665 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if the forward planning section review of the additional accommodation which will be required at primary and post primary level for 2009 and onwards includes an assessment of the provision of primary and post primary school capacity in Roscommon Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28094/09]
View answerForward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school provision at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social & Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.
The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in a total of 42 locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. The process of circulating this information to all existing school Patrons has commenced and it will be open to Patrons to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.
Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis and reports for each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. When the detailed reports are completed for these 42 areas the Forward Planning Section will continue to work on preparing reports on a priority basis for the remainder of the country. The school accommodation needs in Roscommon town will be fully considered in this context.
