Erin McGreehan
Ceist:216. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department is taking to address the overcrowding in schools in County Louth. [10848/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 12 February 2026
Ceisteanna (216)
Freagraí scríofa
My department has a robust forward planning process which considers population and enrolment data in order to plan for school provision and respond to population changes.
My department uses a geographic information system (GIS), which facilitates the analysis of 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.
As part of the demographic demand analysis, my department also factors in planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO, along with regular engagement with local authorities. This ensures that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes at a local level, where the picture can quickly evolve due to new large scale residential development.
The granular analysis carried out by my department informs school capacity planning, so that the level of school place capacity matches the local school going population, as much as possible.
Where capacity pressures are identified additional school accommodation can be provided by way of extensions to existing schools or new school developments.
There are 6 major capital projects for schools in Co. Louth included in the first tranche of NDP Implementation Plan, which I announced recently. These projects are to progress to tender and/or construction in 2026 and 2027, and consist of 3 post primary schools, two special schools and one primary school.
• Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School;
• De La Salle College Dundalk;
• St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Drogheda;
• St. Ita’s and St. Mary’s Special Schools;
• Marymount National School, Drogheda.
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. This includes a direct link to the recently announced list of 105 projects prioritised to progress to tender and/or construction in 2026 and 2027. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
My department works closely with Local Authorities, including Louth County Council, in respect of their county development plans, and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across their functional areas.
Other factors, such as school of choice or admissions policies can also lead to local demand pressures. My department works with school patrons and management bodies to best provide a suitable school place to children and young people in their locality.