Children seeking international protection are educated within the mainstream education system and apply for available school places through the same admissions process as every other child. There is no separate admissions process for these children.
My department works closely with the Regional Education and Language Teams (REALTs), which are hosted by the 16 Education and Training Boards. In the Saggart and wider South Dublin area, this function is provided by the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board. The REALT works with schools and families to identify available places across the local school network and coordinates with agencies including the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to support children in accessing education.
Where capacity is limited in the immediate area, the REALT may assist in identifying places in neighbouring school planning areas and, where appropriate, school transport arrangements can be considered to facilitate attendance.
My department continues to monitor demographic trends and school capacity closely across the country, including in the South Dublin area. Where additional capacity is required, a range of measures may be considered, including the provision of additional accommodation and staffing supports, such as English as an Additional Language (EAL) teaching post, where appropriate.
I wish to assure the Deputy that my department will continue to work closely with schools, education partners and the relevant agencies to ensure that sufficient school places are available for all children living in the area, in accordance with the legislative framework governing school admissions.
There are no school places that are reserved, quota allocated or ring-fenced for children residing in the Ark at Citywest or in any other International Protection accommodation. All applications for admission to recognised schools are considered in accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 and the individual school's published Admission Policy. Schools are required to apply their admission arrangements fairly and consistently to all applicants.
As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, the Department of Education 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. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements. Additional accommodation provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.
Primary school enrolments at national level have been in decline for a number of years and this downward demographic trend is also now apparent at first year post primary level. There are, however, continued pressures in some areas where there is high demand with continued population growth and housing development driving the need 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. The department works with schools, patrons, and management bodies to ensure that there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children.
The Department is aware of pressures at post primary level in the Newcastle_Rathcoole School Planning Area, which includes Citywest and Saggart). Schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Newcastle, Rathcoole, Citywest and Saggart, have been requested to share data on applications for admissions. The Department is liaising closely with schools to ensure that this data is provided as soon as possible and to ensure that every pupil receives an offer of a school place for September.
In response to the known longer term projections of school place needs Newcastle, Rathcoole, Citywest and Saggart, the Department is providing significant additional post primary capacity, including new school buildings for both Holy Family Community School and Coláiste Pobail Fóla. These projects are already at construction and will each provide for in excess of 1,000 mainstream and special educational needs places. Recent reconfiguration works at Coláiste Pobail Fóla facilitated an increased enrolment intake of first years in 2025.
While the admissions policies for schools are the responsibility of school authorities, I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to proactively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Newcastle, Rathcoole, Citywest and Saggart for the 2026/2027 school year and into the future. Families can be assured that any necessary solution will be delivered so that all of the children in the Newcastle, Rathcoole, Citywest and Saggart School Planning Area will receive a first year place.
