School Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Questions (506)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

506. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 18 September 2014, if she will outline in tabular form the latest demographic data referred to in her reply relating to County Wicklow; the sources of the data; the methodology involved in its compilation; the specific areas where the data indicates that further school accommodation may be needed from 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36783/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Forward Planning Section of my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to analyse demographic data in order to determine the areas where additional school accommodation may be required. A variety of data sources are used in this analysis, including census data, school enrolment data, and child benefit data obtained from the Department of Social Protection.

An analysis of the relevant data is currently ongoing on a nationwide basis. Until the exercise is completed, it is too early to say where additional primary school accommodation might be needed from 2015 onwards.