A recent nationwide demographic review carried out in my Department concluded that, with the addition of both planned and recently delivered infrastructural provision in the area referred to by the Deputy, the existing schools between them are expected to be able to cater for the overall level of demand for places in the area.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's main responsibility is ensure that schools, in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking places. This may result, however, in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department will continue to monitor demographic data for all areas of the country to ensure emerging needs are met in a timely manner.