350. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has given further consideration to establishing a secondary school on Inishbofin, County Galway; if she will provide an update in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53626/26]

I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places are kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including CSO Census data, Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

Inishbofin island forms part of the Clifden School Planning Area, for the purposes of planning for post primary school place demand. The population of the post primary school going population of the Clifden School Planning Area is circa 480. This area is served by Scoil Phobail, located in Clifden, with a current enrolment of 489.

There are less than 10 post primary school going children living on Inishbofin, the majority of these pupils attend Scoil Phobail.

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

On the basis of demographics, there are currently no plans to establish a new post-primary school in the Clifden School Planning Area.

Pupils’ resident on off-shore islands that do not have a school providing suitable free second level education, such as Inishbofin, may qualify for assistance under the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme.  The purpose of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme is to give students who are disadvantaged, because of their remoteness from schools, the opportunity to attend school on the same basis as students not so disadvantaged. It is important that post primary students have access to a range of subject choices, as well as other social and developmental opportunities.

The terms of the Remote Area Boarding Grant scheme are set out in Circular 16/2016 which is published on my department’s website.

The department will continue to liaise with Galway County Council in respect of their county development plan, and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.