Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
351. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the decision making criteria and weighting used when selecting which school in an area that should provide additional mainstream capacity when a shortage is identified (details supplied); if existing space, Gaeilge, special class provision are factors for example; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17989/26]
View answer353. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her Department's recent enquiries, the number of unique applications for a junior infants mainstream place for September 2026 in schools in County Meath (details supplied); the number of those currently without an offer of a place in a local school; the method and timeline for providing additional capacity to meet demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18069/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 353 together.
The 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.
In order to plan for school place needs my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my department’s projections of school place requirements.
Pre-school and primary school enrolments at a national level have been in decline for a number of years which in turn is leading to a reduced demand for primary school places in rural areas and many urban areas across the Country. This downward demographic trend is also now apparent at first year post primary level.
While my 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.
My department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the 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.
As the Deputy is aware, department officials have been in contact with primary schools in the Dunshaughlin school planning area and have collected admissions data for September 2026. The department will continue to liaise with schools in the area to ensure a solution that benefits all is put in place.
The provision of additional school places can be required in a very small number of areas. This can be facilitated by a range of strategies, some of which may involve additional accommodation but also optimising use of existing capacity.
Between 2020 and 2025, my department has provided over €459 million in capital funding for Meath schools. Over this period, a total of 62 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 14 school projects in Meath under construction. Another 6 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 10 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total of 119 special classes have been opened in Meath, 12 of which were sanctioned for September 2026.
With regards to Dunshaughlin, there are projects at primary level in progress which will increase capacity. Including a new school building project for Dunshaughlin Community National School which will provide eight mainstream classrooms and two special education classrooms, this project is currently at Stage 4. In addition, there is an extension project in progress for St. Seachnaill’s NS which is also at Stage 4.
Furthermore, a total capital ceiling of €7.55 billion for 2026-2030 was allocated to my department under the NDP Review. This is a very significant investment in our Education and Youth sectors and will help deliver on our commitment to have a world-class education system that supports every learner to reach their full potential. Our sectoral investment plan published last month sets out the department’s approach to prioritised investment in school infrastructure to ensure that every child has a school place and to support the overall operation of the school system and Youth Sector in terms of capital infrastructure. There is a strong focus in our plan on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one.
