Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 April 2017
264. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to plans to expand the provision of services at primary school level in the Skerries area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18097/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 geographic areas known as school planning areas which facilitates the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. In identifying the requirement for additional school places in a school planning area, my Department uses a Geographical Information System to identify the areas under increased demographic pressure nationwide. 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.
My Department is not in receipt of applications for additional accommodation from any of the 8 primary schools in the Skerries school planning area.
As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Skerries school planning area is being kept under review by my Department to take account of updated child benefit data and updated enrolment data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases in this area.
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 which may be required will be met.
