Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
311. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if provision will be made for a new primary school at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9977/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor planning purposes the area referred to by the Deputy is located in the Department’s Finglas East/Ballymun Dublin 11 school planning area. There are currently 9 primary schools serving this area.
My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources including my Department’s own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
The outcome of the latest demographic analyses was the announcement of 13 new schools, four primary and nine post-primary, to open in 2017 and 2018. It was also stated that a range of areas nationwide are experiencing increased demographic pressure and will be kept under review by my Department. North West Dublin City, which includes the area referred to by the Deputy, is one of these areas. This review will take account of updated enrolment and child benefit data and also of the impact of planned capacity increases in this and adjoining areas.
The outcome of this review of demographic changes and school capacity in the school planning area will determine the means by which any additional school places required will be met.
