Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2018
75. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that there is enough primary school capacity in Clontarf, Dublin 3; the details of this planning area; the procedures in place for demographic planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13419/18]
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,
- Provision of a new school or schools.
For school planning purposes Clontarf, Dublin 3 is located in the Killester-Raheny-Clontarf school planning area. There are 25 Primary schools in this school planning area.
As with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data for the area referred to by the Deputy will be kept under ongoing review by my Department to take account of updated data. It is anticipated that decisions based on the nationwide demographic exercises will be announced in the coming weeks.
