Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
126. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 543 of 4 February 2026, if she will provide the data as requested; and if not, the reason for this. [10508/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of post-primary school places and the operation of admissions processes are matters for individual school authorities, in line with their published admissions policies and relevant legislation. Schools determine their own intake numbers and maintain their own enrolment and waiting list information.
The Department does not centrally collate or hold a definitive dataset of available places or waiting lists by school planning area. Consequently, it is not possible for the Department to provide a comprehensive table of post-primary places in Galway city for each year from 2022 to 2026, or to confirm current waiting list numbers for 2026/27.
Information on first-year intake numbers for individual schools is published in each school’s Admissions Notice on their respective websites. National enrolment data is available on gov.ie.
While the Department engages regularly with post-primary schools in Galway city as part of its planning for September 2026, including requesting admissions data where potential pressures have been identified, this information is point-in-time and does not capture pupils who may subsequently secure places elsewhere or be added to school lists after data returns.
The Department has not imposed any reduction in post-primary places for 2026/27. Decisions on intake levels remain with school authorities, within agreed parameters.
The Department continues to work with schools, patrons and management bodies to monitor enrolment trends and to ensure that sufficient capacity is available to meet demand in Galway city and nationally.
