Forward Planning Section of my Department has carried out a study of the country to identify the areas where, due to demographic changes, there may be a requirement for significant additional school capacity at both primary and post-primary levels over the coming years. This study has been conducted using data from the Central Statistics Office, the General Register Office and the Department of Social and Family Affairs in addition to recent schools' enrolment data.
The study indicates that the requirement for additional primary provision in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 is likely to be greatest in a total of 42 locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas. The process of circulating this information to all existing school Patrons has commenced and it will be open to Patrons to bring forward proposals for the expansion of existing schools or indeed to put themselves forward as Patron for any new primary school. The requirement for the establishment of new schools will of course be lessened where it is possible to expand and extend existing schools in those areas.
Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out detailed accommodation requirement reports for these locations which will identify the accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. School accommodation requirements in the Athlone area and its environs, including parts of South Roscommon, will be considered as part of this detailed study of the 42 areas identified. It is expected that the report on the Athlone area will be completed in the coming weeks.