Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
175. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the preliminary census results for County Meath, showing above trend population growth, he has cause to review current and future educational provision in County Meath. [23231/16]
View answerIn identifying the requirement for additional school places, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. The system uses data from the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and information from my Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and at post-primary level. Following the 2015 demographic analyses, 13 new schools will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic needs nationwide.
A range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and these are being kept under review by my Department to take account of updated data and the impact of capacity increases in these areas.
The school planning areas in County Meath are experiencing some demographic growth. However, the level of growth and the rate of year-on-year increase are not to such an extent that would currently warrant the provision of additional new schools at this point.
As the Deputy will be aware two new primary schools opened in 2011 and 2012 and two new post-primary schools opened in 2013 and 2014 in County Meath. My Six-Year Programme includes 24 projects for County Meath which have been committed for Major Capital funding and where construction is expected to commence over the six year period, 2016 to 2021. The current status of all projects, including those in Meath, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this will be updated regularly throughout the year.
With the addition of both planned and recently delivered infrastructural provision in County Meath, the existing schools between them are expected to be able to cater for the overall level of demographic demand for school places.
My Department is keeping the school planning areas in County Meath under ongoing review to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases in these areas.
