Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 February 2014
277. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of Gaelscoil places available in the Dublin 22 area in 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will provide an estimate of the current level of demand for places in these schools. [9130/14]
View answerDublin 22 is in the Clondalkin feeder area. There are two Gaelscoileanna in this area. The schools' total enrolment details are: 2011/12 = 517; 2012/13 = 515.
The number of pupils enrolled in individual schools is provided in the National School Annual Census. Results from the Census for the current school year (2013/2014) are being finalised at present. Publication of all data at primary level and a final list of schools and their enrolments will be on my Department's website by the end of the school year. The Deputy should be aware that enrolment is not tantamount to capacity in a school as the capacity of a school is contingent on a number of issues such as the current pupil/teacher ratio, whether or not a school has DEIS status and whether or not a school has temporary accommodation to increase its capacity. Primary schools also generally have a range of other rooms which they may, from time to time, use as general classroom space to cater for increasing enrolment demands.
My Department is currently analysing demographic data across the country, including that for the Clondalkin feeder area, to ensure that any additional demand for places can be met in a timely manner. In the meantime, my Department recently approved funding to build 2 mainstream classrooms in one of the Gaelscoileanna in question to meet immediate demand for additional places.
