Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021
113. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the way a recently established fee paying primary school can apply for a roll number from her Department; the length of time the process takes once an application is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35065/21]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the 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, the Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
Since 2011 all new schools that have been set up by the Department were established to meet demographic demand and the Department only provides roll numbers to these schools. There is currently no mechanism for the recognition of any school other than those being established by the Department in response to demographic requirements.
