Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the child of a person (details supplied) might obtain a school place for September next, preferably at a particular school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22356/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I 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 for my Department.

In order to plan for school place needs, my 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 my Department's projections of school place requirements.

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in Prosperous_Clane area it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.

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.

Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places at primary and post primary level in the above areas.

Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places in the Prosperous_Clane area. With the support of my Department, a number of additional first year places have already been made available in recent weeks. Engagement is ongoing with schools and patrons with a view to making increased provision where necessary.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it might be possible to provide a school place for a child (details supplied) who is due to enter first year in September next in either Kilcock, Maynooth or Celbridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22361/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I 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 for my Department.

In order to plan for school place needs, my 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 my Department's projections of school place requirements.

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in Kilcock, Maynooth and Celbridge it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area• School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area• Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils• External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

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.

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.

Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places at primary and post primary level in the above areas.

Through close engagement with school patrons and authorities, my Department has established a requirement for additional school places in the North Kildare area. With the support of my Department, a number of additional first year places have already been made available in recent weeks. Engagement is ongoing with schools and patrons with a view to making increased provision where necessary.