asked the Minister for Education in the case of second-level schools for which new buildings were provided in the last three years, the number of pupil enrolments which were used to justify the provision of new buildings; and if she will make a statement on the criteria governing provision of new buildings for existing or newly established schools.
Written Answers. - Post-Primary Schools Provision Criteria.
235.
The main criteria governing the provision of new buildings for existing or newly established post primary schools are:
—the need for such accommodation having regard to existing and anticipated accommodation requirements in the centre, and in other accessible schools. The level of need is established by an examination of many factors including primary and post primary school enrolments, demographic trends, housing and industrial developments actual or proposed.
—the duration of the need for such accommodation. In general, no permanent accommodation, replacing or adding to, the existing stock of accommodation is provided at any school, or in any post primary centre other than that necessary to cater for stable long term enrolments.
—my Department's rationalisation policy. If my Department is satisfied that new accommodation is justified but that rationalisation of facilities, so as to ensure the maximum utilisation of existing resources (e.g. amalgamation) is a valid alternative to the provision of such accommodation, then in the absence of local agreement to such rationalisation, only temporary accommodation will be offered pending resolution of the difficulties.
It will be seen, therefore, from the foregoing that an increase in pupil enrolments is not the sole criterion in determining accommodation needs. The specific information in regard to such enrolments is not readily available from my Department's records and as its compilation would involve the deployment of staff from more urgent duties, the authorisation of such deployment would not be warranted in present circumstances.