Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 March 2014
114. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for increasing the number of places at the Gaelsoileanna in Lucan and Palmerstown to meet the growing demand for these places from local families. [11580/14]
View answer116. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of Gaelscoil places available in Lucan and Palmerstown 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. [11582/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 116 together.
There are two Gaelscoileanna in the Lucan feeder area. While Palmerstown does not currently have a Gaelscoil, it is open to pupils from Palmerstown to apply for places in the Lucan gaelscoileanna. The total enrolment in the schools was 787 in 2011-12 and 882 in 2012-13. 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, 2013-14, 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.
My Department is currently analysing demographic data across the country, including that for the Lucan and Palmerstown feeder areas, to ensure any additional demand for places can be met in a timely manner. In the intervening period, it is, of course, open to schools themselves to apply for funding for additional accommodation where they consider this is warranted. Earlier this year, one of the schools was approved funding for an extra classroom. I understand that there are no further applications on hands for capital funding from the schools.
