Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will bring back the request the Deputy made to the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. who has special responsibility for special school places, which is obviously a key part of the Deputy's ask as well.

To reassure parents in the area who are following this debate, I will highlight that the collaboration and engagement that are now taking place are very important. I commend the schools and their patrons on sharing the data. As I know from my area, when there is a shortage of places, parents will rightly consider hedging their bets and applying to a number of different schools. That one boy or girl will only take one place next September but will appear four or five times on different waiting lists. That inflates the problem and makes it feel even bigger than it is. It is very important that we share the data at this time of the year, cut through it, and if there is a shortfall see exactly what that shortfall is.

I am very much reassured by the Department and the Minister's response that regular ongoing engagement - I am delighted to hear there has been engagement with local representatives as well - between the Department and school management boards is continuing. First, it is about assessing whether there is a shortfall and exactly where it is, and then making sure it is addressed.

There is a strong pipeline of projects being delivered across school areas in the area. That €145 million investment in Wicklow really shows that the proof of the pudding is the investment by the State in education facilities across the county in recent years. We will not be found wanting in looking to meet the really significant demand that is there.

The Department has been in contact with schools and patrons and is aware of the evolving situation with respect to the first year places in Greystones for September 2024. Applications for admission and engaging with schools and patrons is an ongoing process in that respect. Officials from the Department will continue to liaise with each of the patrons and the schools to find a workable solution to ensure that no student is without a place in September 2024. I expect there will be further clarity provided for the families and the school communities in a couple of weeks.

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