Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
567. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if current zoned land is being assessed in future calculations regarding second-level school provision in Newcastle; how quickly further assessments would take place once additional lands are rezoned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4226/26]
View answerTo ensure alignment of school provision with the rollout of additional residential development, the department, through the various consultation phases of the Statutory Plan process, liaises with all 31 Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans, all associated Local Area Plans and Masterplans with a view to identifying any medium to potential long-term school place and accommodation requirements across school planning areas and with the purpose of ensuring that there is an adequate amount of appropriately zoned and suitably located sites for future school place provision, which are in line with objectives as identified in the National Planning Framework. The recently announced revised housing targets will see an intensification of the Statutory Plan process by local authorities for the foreseeable future. My department officials, who have consistently engaged in this process throughout 2025, will continue to do so going forward into 2026 and beyond.
My Department continues to liaise with South Dublin County Council in respect of potential longer-term requirements for educational provision in all areas of South Dublin including Newcastle. My Department engages further on such matters with the Council through the review of the County Development Plan, preparation of Local Area Plans and other relevant statutory planning processes.
