Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
410. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions her Department is taking to ensure sufficient capacity for first-year secondary school places in Rathcoole, Newcastle, Citywest and Saggart; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16288/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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 of mine.
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.
While my department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. My department works with schools, patrons, and management bodies to ensure that there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children.
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.
The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation.
To support families during the post-primary admissions process for the 2026/27 school year, my department has put several measures in place, particularly in areas where demand is high, such as Rathcoole, Newcastle and Citywest . As part of these measures, the data-sharing arrangements between schools and the department have been put in place again for the 2026/27 admissions process. This allows my department to better understand application patterns and respond where overlap between schools is causing delays.
The admissions process can take time, as families may accept an offer from one school and later receive an offer from another. When this happens, places become available and are then offered to other students. As in previous years, my department is working closely with school patrons and principals to make sure that every child in Rathcoole, Newcastle and Citywest receives an offer of a post-primary school place.
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.
I want to assure the Deputy that my department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in Rathcoole,_Newcastle, Citywest and Saggart, as with other areas across the country, under review.
