Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. On behalf of the Minister for Education, I will outline the plans for additional post-primary school places in Blanchardstown west. For school planning purposes, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a geographical information system 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.

It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors: duplication of applications, where pupils have applied for a place in a number of schools in the area; school of choice, where pupils cannot get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town or area; the fact some towns or areas have single-sex schools and while places are available in the school, they are not available to all pupils; and external draw, where pupils are coming from outside the local area.

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. This may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice, however, the Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all students in the area seeking school places.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, the Department makes an assessment of the existing capacity in that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs. Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through utilising existing unused capacity in a school or schools; extending the capacity of a school or schools; or providing a new school or schools.

The Department's projections for post-primary school place requirements in Blanchardstown west are set to peak in the coming years. In anticipation of this demographic growth, the Department is progressing a number of building projects in Blanchardstown west under the national development plan. The most significant project as regards planned additional capacity is a new 1,000-pupil school building for Éiru Community College, which will also provide four classrooms for pupils with special educational needs. The site identification and assessment exercise for Éiru Community College is ongoing. Potential site options have been identified, including publicly-owned property. Nevertheless, the Department is working closely with school authorities, patrons and post-primary management bodies regarding school place needs in the area for the year 2024-25 and future years. This is with a view to identifying any shortfall in places and any required solution beyond those that are already in train. Accordingly, I wish to advise the Senator that the Department of Education is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas. I can assure the Senator that the Department of Education will continue to engage with the relevant schools and patrons in respect of the post-primary school enrolment position and that this is focused on ensuring that the start of the 2024-25 school year operates as smoothly as possible for all schools and their students.