I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 543, inclusive, together.
The 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 provision 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 & Family Affairs with reference 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 more than 40 identified locations across the country based on significant changes to the demographics of those areas.
Forward Planning Section is in the process of carrying out detailed analysis and reports for each of these locations in order to identify the school accommodation requirements for each area up to and including the school year 2014/2015. School accommodation requirements within the area referred have been considered as part of this detailed study of the identified areas. The progression of all large scale building projects arising from Forward Planning Section's analysis of accommodation needs will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
As the Deputy will be aware, a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is currently being undertaken by the Commission on School Accommodation. A Technical Working Group, under the direction of the Chairman of the Commission, was established for this purpose. This group has almost completed its work and it is expected that it will make recommendations to me shortly. Among the many issues being considered by the Technical Working Group is the issue of how best to measure or gauge the views of parents in relation to diversity of school provision in a locality.
I attach for the Deputy a list of the initial areas identified for detailed analysis.