Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
320. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth given that Wexford County Council has projected that at least 2,300 new homes will be constructed in Gorey, County Wexford in the period 2026-2034, her views on the way in which this will impact on schools locally; the plans for the development of new schools and educational facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53225/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that 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.
Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.
My department also conducts granular analysis below the level of a school planning area, particularly where a school planning area encompasses both high growth urban settlement areas and a more rural hinterland. Our analysis of school place demand in urban areas experiencing high population growth has indicated that demand in the urban area can be 10-20% higher than the school planning area as a whole.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school.
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.
The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the Department's website at, www.gov.ie, and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
Gorey has experienced significant residential development in recent years, with further housing growth planned. While new housing generates additional demand for school places, the number of school-aged children arising from each new home has declined due to lower birth rates and smaller family sizes. At the same time, demand for school places from established residential areas in Gorey has reduced significantly.
As a result, despite the completion of a substantial number of new homes, primary school enrolments in the Gorey School Planning Area have already peaked and have declined in recent years. Demand for post-primary school places continues to increase, although it is projected to peak within the coming years.
My department has taken account of Wexford County Council’s projection that approximately 2,300 new homes will be constructed in Gorey between 2026 and 2034. Demographic analysis indicates that, under a zero-migration scenario, the population of primary school-aged children in the Gorey School Planning Area is expected to decrease by 15% (approximately 535 children) by 2030. The number of post-primary school-aged children is projected to decrease by 7.5% (approximately 213 children) over the same period.
The estimated school place demand arising from these 2,300 new homes, equivalent to an average of approximately 325 homes per year, is around 100 additional primary school places and 80 additional post-primary school places. The projected demand for new primary school places is lower than the reduction in demand resulting from demographic trends and therefore is not expected to result in a net increase in primary school place requirements over the period.
A small net increase in demand for post-primary places is anticipated. This additional demand will be accommodated through the construction and expansion of Gorey ETSS.
The pace of delivery of additional residential development in Gorey school planning area along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements in the area.
The department will continue to liaise with Wexford 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 including Gorey.
