Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
301. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a town (details supplied) in County Cork was chosen as one of the locations in which parents of children aged 0 - 12 years are being asked to complete an online survey; if he will explain the general criteria used in selecting the locations; if he will state the number of locations that were chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3821/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following criteria were applied in selecting locations for the parental surveys:
1. Areas with a population of greater than 5,000 persons and less than 20,000 persons, as per the 2011 Census.
2. Areas that did not experience greater than 20% growth in the inter-censal period 2006-2011 and where the establishment of new schools is unlikely to emerge until at least 2016.
3. Areas that have at least three primary schools within a 2km range of the CSO Town Boundary.
4. Areas where school provision is predominantly Catholic or where there is very limited diversity of provision at present.
A total of 44 areas met the criteria outlined above and surveys were undertaken in five of those areas on a pilot basis late last year. Surveys are currently being conducted in thirty eight remaining areas. One area that met the criteria is not being surveyed as diversity of school patronage is already being provided in that area.
