Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 July 2025
109. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of first year places offered for the 2025-2026 school term for post primary schools within the Donaghmede Dublin 13 school planning area. [36507/25]
View answerThe provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
Requirement for school places is 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.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
The Department’s analysis of the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area shows there are more first year places available than sixth class children. The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation. The information referred to can be found on the Admissions Notices of each school which should be available via the school’s websites.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers. Contact details are available on Tusla’s website.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will keep the school place requirements in the Donaghmede_Howth_D13 school planning area, as with others across the country, under review.
