Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
179. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction a 16-classroom primary school for a school (details supplied); the figures his Department is using to determine demand for primary school places in this locality; if these figures are out of date; if he will facilitate the demand for places in a Gaelscoil in this locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22945/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if new access will be provided for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22946/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no record of receiving any communication from the school in question relating to a new physical access to the school.
With regard to the Deputy's question relating to the school's request to expand to a 16 classroom school, I wish to inform him that I recently met with school representatives relating to this matter. Following on from that meeting, I arranged for my officials re-evaluate the demographic pressures surrounding the school's area.
Arising from this analysis, there is currently surplus capacity of 14 mainstream classrooms in the school's catchment area and therefore existing primary schools in the area are capable of catering for both existing and future demand in the area. In that regard, my Department would not be in a position to allow the school to expand into a 16 classroom, 2 stream school at this point in time. My Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and I have since written to the school outlining my Department's position.
