Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018
216. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the extent to which adequate provision is being made for the high numbers of primary school places required in Naas, County Kildare, in view of the high numbers of new residents settling and due to settle in the town; the plans being put in place to cope with the high demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3202/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas. My Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and 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.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following: utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools; extending the capacity of a school or schools; and provision of a new school or schools.
As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the Naas area is being kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated data. In addition, my Department is currently engaging with the local authority in relation to additional residential development in Kildare, including the Naas area.
As the Deputy may be aware, there are building projects for Naas included in the Major Capital Programme at St. Corbans Primary School and Mercy Convent Primary School.
