Thomas Gould
Question:218. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the population review into Mallow and the proposed extension of a school (details supplied). [54108/26]
View answerWednesday, 15 July 2026
Questions (218)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that an application for major capital works was received from the school in question.
The completion of the Department’s nationwide Energy and Condition Survey is awaited and the NDP Implementation Plan which will allow an effective prioritisation of finite capital investment. The determination of a long-term pathway forward for the school will form part of this wider process.
The department constantly monitors demographic requirements in the context of current and planned residential development activity. The pace of delivery of additional residential development in school planning areas, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements. The department regularly engages with Cork County Council in respect of its Development Plan and Local Area Plans, with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across all settlements throughout the county, of which Mallow is one. The current variation to the County Development Plan 2022-2028 relates to proposed increases in housing target numbers for Mallow. The department is engaging with the various consultation phases of the statutory plan process that applies to this variation. The outcome of this process is still to be determined as the adoption date of the variation into the County Development Plan has yet to be identified by the Council.
The department will continue to liaise with the school authority in this regard.