Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2019
185. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school places available in second level schools in Navan, Trim, Longwood, Oldcastle and Athboy, County Meath, by school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49744/19]
View answer186. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students seeking places in second level schools in Navan, Trim, Longwood, Oldcastle and Athboy, County Meath, by school, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49745/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the specific information to which he refers. Detailed information relating to enrolments in all schools nationwide is available on the Department's website at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools;
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools;
- Provision of a new school or schools.
The requirement for new schools will be kept under on-going review and will have regard for the increased roll out of housing provision as outlined in Project Ireland 2040.
