The most recent projections produced by my Department are forecasting an increase in the projected enrolments at primary level in the coming years. It is within this context that the Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of analysing all areas in the country in order to determine the level of additional provision which will be required at both primary and post primary level up to 2017. Overall primary requirements in Wicklow will be considered as part of this process and an appropriate long term accommodation solution to the needs of the area will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.
I can confirm for the Deputy that the first two schools to which he refers have applied to my Department for major capital funding for new schools and the third school has applied for an extension. In accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale capital projects, the applications for the three schools have been assessed and all have been assigned a band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the proposed projects for the schools in question, is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including projects for these schools, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme with due regard to the recommendations from the Forward Planning Section of my Department and the available funding. At that point, a meeting between school representatives and my officials can be arranged if necessary. It is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the projects at this time.