Vol. 526 No. 3
127 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the strategy which is in place in the Department's building unit to deal with population growth in areas which are not currently serviced by a primary or secondary school; the action his Department have taken to be more responsive to the needs of such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26511/00]
130 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that all schools, primary and second level, throughout the country can be provided with sufficient permanent classrooms to meet student requirements in the near future; if any assessment has been done in respect of areas suffering most from classroom overcrowding or inadequate permanent space; the plans he has to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26457/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 130 together.
The process of assessing the need for new or additional educational facilities at primary or post-primary level in any given area entails consideration by my Department of all relevant factors, including enrolment and demographic trends, housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet the demand for places.
My Department is at present concentrating on the areas of major development and population growth with a view to identifying where the most urgent need for new or additional educational facilities exists or is likely to arise in the future. As part of this process, officials of the planning and building unit consult regularly with local authorities regarding development proposals and their implications. Liaison with existing schools is important, also, and the school authorities would usually alert my Department where, in their view, the need for additional accommodation is anticipated.
In the event that the level of development and population growth in an area indicates a likely long-term need for primary or post-primary educational provision, a decision is made on the means by which that need should be met. Generally, this involves the provision of permanent accommodation in the form of a new school or an extension to existing facilities. High quality temporary or prefabricated accommodation is normally provided to alleviate short-term accommodation needs.
As the Deputies are aware, since this Government came into office there have been very substantial increases in the levels of capital funding for school accommodation. As a result, there has been a significant improvement in the quality of educational infrastructure at both first and second level.
