My Department is currently reviewing the demographic data in the Swords area referred to by the Deputy as part of the overall demographic analyses of all school planning areas nationwide.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are 13 primary schools serving the area referred to, one of which has made contact with my Department in regard to junior infant intake for September 2017. In addition, my Department has been in direct contact with a number of schools in the school planning area in respect of their junior infant capacity. In that regard it is understood that at least one primary school is undersubscribed and has expressed a willingness to enroll further junior infants in September 2017, if necessary. The school enrolment position for September 2017 will be clarified when the schools concerned have completed their enrolment process in the coming weeks. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is important that school size is monitored and that a balance is preserved among all schools in school planning areas to ensure that one school is not expanding at the expense of another school.
My Department is monitoring the position in the Swords area closely. While the situation may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department’s main responsibility is to ensure that the existing schools in the area can, between them, cater for the demand for Junior Infant places in September 2017.