Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to outline the position regarding primary school demand in the Donaghmede-Howth-Dublin 13 area. As I outlined, the Department is already providing significant additional primary capacity in the area, on foot of forecasts of school place needs. This includes two recently established new primary schools. While the Department is aware of enrolment pressures in the Donaghmede-Howth-Dublin 13 area for the 2023-24 school year, it is important to note there can be multiple reasons for enrolment pressures, including duplication of applications for admission.

The Department will continue to engage with relevant school authorities and patrons to monitor school place needs and to identify any required accommodation solutions, over and above those already in train. In any area where there is an identified deficit of school accommodation for the 2023-24 school year, the Department has a project management service and modular accommodation framework in place that will assist in expediting the delivery of required accommodation solutions. The priority of the Department continues to be to ensure that places are available for every student for the next school year, and will continue to engage with patrons and school authorities in this regard.

On the matter of the two specific schools the Deputy raised, I am happy there will be follow-up on that.

The reply outlines significant developments in respect of whether it is the Educate Together national school or Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol. The Educate Together national school is located in a 16-classroom school and the eight-classroom addition to Gaelscoil Ghráinne Mhaol is at stage 1. The further projects providing additional capacity include those relating to Holy Trinity National School, Scoil Cholmcille Senior National School. The project at Holy Trinity National School involved the provision of four new classrooms.

The Deputy specifically referred to children and young people with special education needs. The Department is also providing accommodation for children with additional needs at schools in the area, including, as already outlined, at the two new schools.

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