Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:480. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the full details of all unfilled posts across the Dún Laoghaire constituency, by school. [45108/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Staff
Ceisteanna (480)
Freagraí scríofa
Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.
The recruitment and appointment of teachers for teaching positions is managed by individual school authorities. There are over 3,700 individual school authorities, responsible for this process, including boards of management at primary and post-primary schools, as well as Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
While my Department does not collect data on the recruitment by individual employers, an analysis of the Department’s payroll system is being undertaken to generate statistics on the teacher workforce. This will include statistics on the full time equivalents (FTE), permanent and fixed contracts, with breakdowns possible by county. These data are expected to be available in the near future.
Schools that experience recruitment challenges can avail of a number of supports that my department has implemented including:
• providing for the provision of supply panels at primary level; for the 2024/25 school year, 591 substitute teacher supply posts have been allocated to 167 panels, covering 2,900 schools.
• enabling student teachers to substitute; over 3,700 student teachers were registered with the Teaching Council to substitute in June 2024, up from 2,700 that were registered in the previous school year.
• enabling newly qualified teachers (NQTs) employed in primary schools to complete the Droichead process while employed on a Supply Panel or Principal Release Time Post, increasing the attractiveness of these posts.
• increasing the pool of teachers available to undertake substitute work, through the continued suspension of the usual limits on career break and job-sharing schemes and the continuation of the teaching hours’ extension scheme in post-primary schools to 2024/25 school year.
• encouraging retired teachers to work as substitute teachers; in the 2023/24 school year, over 1,700 retired teachers provided substitute cover, an increase of 12% on the previous year.
As of March 2024, a record 78,646 teachers were employed. There are less than 1% resignations in the Primary sector every year and 1.6% in Post Primary. The number of teachers who retired over the past number of years has varied, with 932 in 2013 and 1,074 in 2023.
While most teaching positions are filled, some schools face significant recruitment challenges. To address teacher supply issues, the Department has implemented several measures that have led to:
• an increase of 20% in Initial Teacher Education graduates (student teachers)between 2018 and 2023, and a 30% increase in the number registered with the Teaching Council since 2017, and
• a 16.7% increase in the number of teaching posts allocated to post-primary, and an increase of 13.3% allocated to primary between 2017/18 and 2023/24.
Recent Budget measures introduced reflect this Government’s commitment to ongoing investment in the education system to address teacher supply issues.Key initiatives include:
• Budget 2025 included a bursary for student teachers to increase the number of qualified STEM (including science, maths, chemistry, physics, engineering) teachers in post-primary schools. The bursary, a €2k payment each year for the final two years of their undergraduate initial teacher education programme, is contingent on a commitment to complete a minimum 2 years post-qualification teaching service in a recognised post primary school.
• Budget 2024 also included the expansion of upskilling programmes, free to teachers, aimed at increasing the number of qualified teachers in high-demand subjects and reducing out-of-field teaching. New programmes in Irish, French, politics & society, and computer science will complement existing programmes in maths, physics, and Spanish. Trinity College Dublin will deliver the new Irish upskilling programme for post-primary.
• Budget 2025 continued funding for free upskilling courses for teachers in high-demand subject areas (Irish, French, Spanish, maths, computer science, physics, politics & society).
• Budget 2024 introduced a €2,000 bursary-style fee refund for teachers graduating with a Professional Master of Education (PME) in 2024. This payment, to be made in 2025, aims to encourage newly qualified primary and post-primary teachers to take up teaching roles.A circular issued in September from my department setting out the eligibility criteria.
Teaching is an attractive career choice:
• With 3,700 newly qualified teachers registered with the Teaching Council in 2024 and over 123,000 now on the register.
• Analysis of CAO applications spanning from 2017 to 2024 indicates a sustained and robust demand for undergraduate teaching programmes. On average, 6% of first preference applications during the period from 2017 to 2024 were for either primary or post-primary teaching programmes.
• The new pay deal will mean that teachers’ starting salary will increase to €46,000 rising to a maximum of €85,000 per year which compares well internationally.
The Department frequently consults stakeholders on issues such as teacher supply through industrial relations forums, sectoral meetings, and direct discussions with teacher unions. Additionally, a project, supported by UNESCO and the EU Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, began recently, focusing on strategic workforce planning for teachers in Ireland.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (481)
Martin Browne
Ceist:481. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to accommodating a pupil (details supplied) at a school through a commitment to providing them with teaching and SNA staffing throughout each year of the student’s time at that school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs. The NCSE advise that they have met with the school referred to by the Deputy to discuss the enrolment of the child referred to by the Deputy. The NCSE are also discussing any additional resources required to meet the student's needs. The NCSE advise that a further update from the school is due very shortly and the NCSE will keep the family updated this week.
Almost 1,700 new special classes have been established in recent years, eleven new special schools have been established and many more have been expanded. For this school year alone, over 400 new special classes have been sanctioned with classes provided in every county, and four new special schools have been established.
138 of these classes are in County Tipperary, 16 are new for the 2024/25 school year, 12 at primary level and 4 at post-primary level. The vast majority of these are autism classes and have a teacher/student ratio of 1:6.
Budget 2025 provides funding for another 400 special classes and 300 special school places nationwide this includes five new special schools one of which will be in county Tipperary.
The NCSE have recruited additional special education needs organisers (SENOs), advisors and team managers. A total of 120 SENOs now operate nationwide, three of these are solely operating in County Tipperary. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas and are currently visiting schools nationwide to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.
School Textbooks
Ceisteanna (482)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:482. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the specific measures her Department has implemented to address the funding shortfalls some schools are facing under the free book schemes; if additional supports are being considered to ensure the schools facing shortfalls have adequate resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45126/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of Budget 2023 over €50 million was allocated to provide free schoolbooks to all pupils in recognised primary schools, including special schools. More than 563,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools benefited from the new scheme from September 2023.
Subsequently, on 5th of March this year, I announced details of a new scheme that provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. Special schools who have students enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes will also receive this funding. More than 214,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, are benefiting from the new scheme in the current school year.
The investment of €68 million in 2024 significantly increased the funding that was previously provided for schoolbooks at post-primary level. It reinforces the Government’s commitment to expand the free schoolbooks scheme to schools nationwide, as resources allow. In Budget 2025, I announced a further €51 million to extend the scheme to provide schoolbooks to all students in Senior Cycle years, including Transition Year, in recognised post-primary schools from September 2025.
Providing our children and young people with schoolbooks will help to enhance their educational experience, not just in the classroom but at home and as they prepare for life after school. This scheme will help to ensure that no pupil or student will be disadvantaged by a lack of ability to access essential learning resources and help to ease some of the financial burden facing families.
In Budget 2024 over €47 million was allocated to continue implementation of the schoolbooks scheme at primary level for its second year. On the 8th May I announced details of year 2 of the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme which provides at a minimum free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks to pupils in recognised primary and special schools. More than 563,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools will continue to benefit from this scheme.
As the scheme is now implemented in every recognised primary and special school it is expected that schools have used the funding provided in the 2023/24 school year to purchase stocks of schoolbooks and other classroom resources. Many of these items are now available to schools for reuse in the 2024/25 school year and in future school years. The funding allocated to the scheme in the 2024/25 school year takes account of this.
For the current school year, primary schools have received €80 per pupil enrolled as of September 2023. It is open to schools to look at their requirements and plan their budget across each of the years collectively. They may choose to spend more than €80 per pupil in one class and in turn, spend less than that per pupil in another class. In other words, while schools receive the money at the same per capita rate for all pupils they can choose to spread that expenditure differently across the years depending on the requirements. Special schools that have students enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes have received funding at the Junior Cycle per capita rate set out under the new Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme. For the 2024/25 school year post-primary schools have received a rate of €309 per student enrolled in Junior Cycle years.
Scheme guidance for both schemes for the 2024/25 school year is published on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/schoolbookschemes and was issued to schools.
As outlined in the guidance, the schoolbook grant for 2024/2025 is calculated based on validated September 2023 enrolment figures. If a school has a concern about funding for additional pupils who have enrolled in the school since this time, there is an exceptional cases funding provision under the scheme. This provision is where a school can request additional funding when a significant increase in enrolments had occurred and the school cannot meet the costs of the books from within the original funding allocation.
As part of the on-going evaluation of the schemes, all schools will be asked to provide data on their expenditure in order to inform the guidance, implementation, costs and efficiency of the scheme for future years. It is very important that schools engage with this process and provide financial data and feedback to my department which will support the sustainability of the scheme costs.
School Admissions
Ceisteanna (483)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:483. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if every effort can be made to secure a school place for the son of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45149/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria, for application in the event of oversubscription, in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the pupil/student should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will 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/student not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the schools admission policy.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, may appeal a decision of this school to refuse admission. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed. An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(ii) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due a reason other than the school being oversubscribed.
TUSLA’s Education Support Service (TESS) which is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500. For ease of reference, I have provided you with a link to the relevant phone numbers for the Education Welfare Officers who are part of TESS assigned to various areas around the country. See www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/local-area-offices.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (484)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:484. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of WTE solicitors employed by her Department in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45188/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Education's Legal Services Unit is staffed by three legal advisers (both solicitors and barristers) seconded from the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO). Two advisers were in place at year end 2023, with the vacancy filled in February 2024. The unit currently has two advisers in position with a vacancy since the end of September 2024.
Further to this, the Department of Education benefits from the expert legal support of the AGO, the CSSO, and the State Claims Agency, in line with their statutory functions.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (485)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken by her Department to better manage data on busy school transport routes to ensure that all places allocated are being utilised and being reassigned in the event that they are not to ensure that all school transport offered is being utilised to its highest capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45208/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
With regard to ticket usage, it is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days. Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
The Department of Education is currently progressing a number of technological improvements to the School Transport Scheme, including the introduction of eTicketing. Not only will eTickets replace the current printed paper tickets but eTicketing will provide accurate information on ticket utilisation, which is currently not readily available.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (486)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:486. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the total number of school places required at primary and second level in Celbridge, County Kildare, with particular reference to the needs emerging in September next; if the three-school project is advancing at appropriate pace to meet all of the requirements (details supplied); if it is anticipated that adequate spaces will be made available by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45209/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, 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.
More than €310 million has been invested in school infrastructure in County Kildare since 2020 alone, reflecting a strong focus on alignment of school place availability with the significant residential development across the county. This investment includes recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are now beginning to decline. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure, including Celbridge will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
St Patrick's National School, St Raphael's Special School and Celbridge Community School has been approved for a large-scale project on a greenfield site to enter the Department’s pipeline of new school buildings. This project is devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programmes. The schools will be delivered as part of a campus development at Donaghcumper, Celbridge.
The NDFA have appointed a Design Team and the Department is awaiting the submission of the initial architectural designs. At this early stage and particularly in advance of the required statutory approvals, it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project. The NDFA have and will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child across Co. Kildare, including Celbridge School Planning Area.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (487)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the degree to which she anticipated an adequacy of school places at primary and second level at Leixlip, County Kildare, with a view to ensuring adequate accommodation availability at both primary and second level by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45210/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that 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 for the Department of Education.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare. In response, the Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Since 2020, over €310m has been invested in schools in County Kildare. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, including in North Kildare, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process, including for areas in North Kildare. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
My department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Leixlip, as with other areas across the country, under review.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (488)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she is satisfied that all school placement requirements, both primary and second level in Maynooth, County Kildare, can be met by September next; if new catchment areas are proposed to meet the requirements of those who fall between catchment areas for the purpose of placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45211/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 for the Department.
As the Deputy will be aware, for school planning purposes, 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.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.
More than €310 million has been invested in school infrastructure in County Kildare since 2020 alone, reflecting a strong focus on alignment of school place availability with the significant residential development across the county. This investment includes recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are now beginning to decline. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
Under the Education Act 1998, the question of enrolment policy in individual schools, including the setting of catchment areas, is the responsibility of the Board of Management on behalf of the school patron. The 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. The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. Living in a particular catchment area is one criteria that a school may apply. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. The Department does not intervene in the criteria set by a school.
Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in the Maynooth School Planning Area for the 2025/26 school year and into the future.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (489)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of school places at primary and second level in Kilcock, County Kildare, with particular reference to meeting such requirement by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45212/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that 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 for the Department of Education.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare. In response, the Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Since 2020, over €310m has been invested in schools in County Kildare. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, including in North Kildare, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process, including for areas in North Kildare. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
My department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Kilcock, as with other areas across the country, under review.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (490)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:490. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of school places at primary and second level in Clane, County Kildare, with particular reference to the need to cater for a rapidly expanding population; if she is satisfied that such requirements can be met in full by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45213/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that 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 for the Department of Education.
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.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare. In response, the Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Since 2020, over €310m has been invested in schools in County Kildare. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools in North Kildare, including Clane, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process, including for areas in North Kildare. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
My department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Clane, as with other areas across the country, under review.
School Facilities
Ceisteanna (491)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the current position in regard to replacement of accommodation and facilities for a school (details supplied); if she is satisfied that the need can be met within the anticipated deadline given the rapidly expanding population of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45214/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).
It is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. The planning application was lodged in Quarter 1 2024 but a Request for Further Information (RFI) was issued. The Design Team has submitted a response to the RFI and it is currently with Kildare County Council for their review and consideration.
At this stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of this project. Subject to any further issues arising during the planning process, the project will proceed to tender and construction in due course.
KWETB are engaging directly with the school authority to keep them informed of progress.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (492)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate school places remain available at Straffan, County Kildare; if she is mindful of the expanding population and the urgency to ensure the availability of sufficient such accommodation by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45215/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 for the Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) 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. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
Straffan is located in the Celbridge School Planning area. Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including the Celbridge School Planning Area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are now beginning to decline. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child throughout the Co. Kildare including Straffan.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (493)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:493. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate school places remain available at Sallins, County Kildare; if she is mindful of the expanding population and the urgency to ensure the availability of sufficient such accommodation by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45216/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that 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 for the Department of Education.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare. In response, the Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Since 2020, over €310m has been invested in schools in County Kildare. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, including in North Kildare, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process, including for areas in North Kildare. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
My department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Sallins, as with other areas across the country, under review.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (494)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:494. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of primary and second level school places throughout north Kildare, with particular reference to the rapidly expanding population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45217/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that 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 for the Department of Education.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare. In response, the Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Since 2020, over €310m has been invested in schools in County Kildare. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the North Kildare area.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children.
Of course, there is significant regional and local variation in enrolment trends and projections, with residential construction activity one of the most significant influencing factors. This means that, even as enrolments nationally begin to decline, we can still expect to see increasing demand at primary and post primary level in particular towns and areas, and enrolment pressures may arise in a very limited number of school planning areas from year to year. This must be seen in the context of an annual enrolment process that caters to some 140,000 pupils at Junior Infants and First Year level and that, on the whole, transacts very smoothly. While there are 314 school planning areas across the country, typically only a small minority of these areas require follow up engagement by the department with schools and patrons to work through mainstream school place solutions for the following year.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, including in North Kildare, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process, including for areas in North Kildare. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
I can assure the Deputy that my department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in County Kildare, and across the rest of the country.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (495)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the action in hand to address the ongoing safety concerns of parents regarding their children’s safety travelling to a school (details supplied), including the safety and limitations of the structure they are schooled in; the proposed timeline for providing new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45218/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers has been approved a project to enter the Department's pipeline of major capital projects. The project has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programme.
The project is currently at Stage 1 of the architectural design process. The process of appointing the design team was completed in Q1 2024. The design team will now take the project through the various stages of design and architectural planning. My Department understands from the NDFA that the report is nearing completion and will be submitted to Department officials soon for review.
While it is not possible to provide a timeline for the project completion at this early stage, the NDFA have and will continue to engage directly with school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
As I previously advised the Deputy, it is open to the school authority to make an application to my Department under the Emergency Works Grant scheme to address more immediate health and safety risks. The scheme provides funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation. No application has been received to date.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (496)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the efforts in hand to ensure that all students in Kill secure a school place in September 2025 given the number of refusals for primary school children to date for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45219/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) 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. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Kill is located in the Naas School Planning area. Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including the Naas School Planning Area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular 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.
More than €310 million has been invested in school infrastructure in County Kildare since 2020 alone, reflecting a strong focus on alignment of school place availability with the significant residential development across the county. This investment includes recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. 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 will 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.
All schools must clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal where a board of management, or a person acting on behalf of the board of management (normally the school principal) refuses to admit a student to a school. Where the decision to refuse admission is due to the school being oversubscribed, a review of the decision by the board of management must be sought in the first instance. Following a review it is open to the parent to appeal to the independent appeals committee.
Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. TESS can be contacted at 01-7718500 (tessinfo@tusla.ie) for assistance. More information is available on their website on the following link: www.tusla.ie/tess/tess-ews/
I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child throughout the Naas School Planning Area including Kill.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (497)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in Naas, County Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels, with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year; if she is satisfied that work in progress or steps yet to be taken can proceed without interruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45220/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that 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 for the department.
In line with the Department's demographic projections of post primary school place requirements, there has been a continued growth in enrolments throughout many School Planning Areas in North Kildare. In response, the Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Since 2020, over €310m has been invested in schools in County Kildare. This investment includes recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.
At a national level, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, first year enrolments nationally are expected to have peaked in the 2023/24 school year and are beginning to decline from next year. At primary level, there is generally good capacity across the country, although there are some areas under continuing demographic pressures. Across North Kildare there are almost 250 more first year places available for the 2025/26 school year than sixth class children.
Nevertheless, the Department has been putting in place a number of measures to support parents and post-primary schools, including in North Kildare, with a view to helping the admissions process for 2025/26 run as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, the Department has written to all parents and guardians of children in sixth class with advice and guidance regarding the admissions process for post-primary for the 2025/26 school year. This letter advised parents to apply to multiple schools in areas where there is high demand and requested parents to take steps to avoid holding multiple places.
Secondly, the Department has improved the central Post-Primary On-line Database IT system that schools use to register student enrolments. This is an important improvement and is available to assist schools to manage the enrolment process and provide real-time notification to schools where a new student has accepted a school place in more than one school. This will help identify duplicate enrolments at a very early stage.
Furthermore, the successful data-sharing arrangements that were implemented for the 2024/25 admissions process in areas of enrolment pressure will be put in place again for the 2025/26 process, including for areas in North Kildare. It is expected that, as in previous years, the data sharing will provide confidence that there is sufficient school place availability in the majority of areas. However, if a shortfall of places is identified in an area, the Department will work with schools to put the necessary solutions in place.
The Department continues to proactively plan for school place needs, using the most up to date data. Information on current and projected future population, and the impact of future residential development in each town, are all considered as part of this planning process. Engagement with school patrons is another important component of the Department’s planning process.
The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, including preschool provision through the free Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE).
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in Naas, and across the rest of the country, including by advancing required school building projects.
Special Educational Needs
Ceisteanna (498)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which special needs teachers and SNAs continue to be available to the extent required in County Kildare, and all areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45221/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided.
The NCSE has the responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs and schools should liaise directly with the NCSE in the event that additional supports are required.
In 2024, the number of special education teaching and SNA posts in our schools will increase by 744 and 1,216 respectively to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs. This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting these children. This figure will be built on as Budget 2025 provides for a further 768 special education teachers and 1,600 SNAs posts meaning there will be close to 44,000 dedicated special education professionals in our education system.
It is important to remember that the Special Education Teaching (SET) allocation model distributes the total available number of special education teacher posts in line with each school’s profile of need. This year there will be 14,600 special education teachers supporting mainstream classes, which is an increase of 1,000 since the end of the 2021 school year. This is the highest number of SET teachers ever in our schools.
In addition, to ensure timely reviews and reduce the administrate burden on school my department has been working with the NCSE to streamline the SNAs review process. The NCSE issued revised guidelines to schools at the start of the current school year to outline the arrangements for SNA reviews from September 2024.
It is open to all schools to apply for a review of their SET or SNA allocation if it feels it allocation is insufficient to meet the needs of its students. Local special education needs organisers (SENOs) are available to advise and assist schools with the review process and to offer advice and support as required.
The NCSE has recruited additional SENOs, advisors and team managers. SENOs play an important role in ensuring there is adequate special educational provision within local areas. The number of SENOs has increased to 120 nationwide. There are now 5 SENOs operating in County Kildare. SENOs are currently visiting schools to conduct planning meetings. These visits will be key in terms of forward planning for the 2025/26 school year.
School Enrolments
Ceisteanna (499)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent of progress in ensuring the provision of a new primary school in Newtown, Enfield, County Kildare; the degree to which such provision is capable of meeting the demand in the current and subsequent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45222/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I 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 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.
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.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
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.
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.
If additional accommodation is required, the aim is 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 school 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 must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase to ensure that every child has a school place.
For school planning purposes Enfield is in the Kilcock school planning area. There are 12 primary school projects planned in the Kilcock school planning area and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:
Scoil Chóca Naofa (Roll No: 11976K) – Brief: 6x mainstream classrooms, 2x special education classrooms, 2x special education tuition rooms & works to playground.
Project brief stage - this includes determining the project brief and schedule of accommodation.
St Joseph's NS (Roll No: 16706G) has two projects– Brief: 1x mainstream classroom
Stage 2- Stage 2 is the approval to proceed to construction.
Brief: Brief for a 16x mainstream classroom school
Stage 5- Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the patron/board of management.
S N Mhuire (Roll No: 18344I) – Brief: 1x mainstream classroom
Stage 4- Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site.
Newtown NS, Enfield (Roll No: 18650P) has two projects– Brief: 4 x mainstream classrooms & 1x special education tuition room. Stage 5.
Brief: 2x special education classrooms
Stage 2b- Stage 2b is the developed design & lodgement of planning permission.
Coole NS, Kilcock (Roll No: 18051Q) – Brief: 1x mainstream classroom with en suite. Stage 5.
Tiermohan NS, Naas (Roll No: 18666H) – Brief: 3x mainstream classroom (prefab replacement). Stage 5.
Scoil Ui Riada, Kilcock (Roll No: 19897I) has two projects– Brief: 7x mainstream classrooms: 3x special education tuition rooms, toilets. Stage 4.
Brief: 2x special education classrooms.
Stage 1- Stage 1 is the preliminary design stage where the design team in conjunction with the school authorities, will analyse all the constraints of the site, develop a preferred design option and ensure that the preferred option is the best option for the delivery of the brief.
St Mary's NS, Enfield (Roll No: 17821L) – Brief: 3x special education classroom. Stage 5.
St Joseph's NS (Roll No: 18887A) – Brief: 1 mainstream classroom. Stage 5.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my 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.
The department will continue to liaise with local authorities 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.