Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
527. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of pupils which will need to enter secondary school in 2026, in Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus; the number of secondary school places available in those areas; her plans to address any shortfall in places available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3695/26]
View answerIn order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the 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.
The annual enrolment process for new junior infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. While the department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Primary school enrolments at national level have been in decline for a number of years and this downward demographic trend is also now apparent at first year post primary level. There are, however continued pressures in some areas where there is high demand with continued population growth and housing development driving the need for additional school places.
The department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Under the provisions of the Act, school admission policies are approved by the Patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the school’s website. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
There are 2 post primary schools in the Shannon school planning area. As per the department's analysis of the Shannon school planning area for the 2024/25 academic year, there were more first year places available than 6th class children and overall 4.33% of first year places were unfilled.
The department will keep the school place requirements in Shannon school planning area under review.
