Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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370. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in Sallins, County Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year; if she is satisfied that work in progress or steps yet to be taken can proceed without interruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53146/23]

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 the Department.

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.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within 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.

The Department is aware of pressures for school places in Naas School Planning Area. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional school places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Naas, 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 once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.

This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.

In line with the Department's demographic projections of school place requirements there has been a continued growth in enrolments in Naas School Planning Area. My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for Naas.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Naas for the 2024/25 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 Naas School Planning Area will receive a school place.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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371. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in Prosperous, County Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year; if she is satisfied that work in progress or steps yet to be taken can proceed without interruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53147/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department 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. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.

The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, including pre-school provision through the free Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE).

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including the Prosperous School Planning Area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.

The Department is aware of pressures for school places in the Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional first year places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Prosperous School Planning Area, 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 once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.

This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.

My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the Prosperous School Planning Area.

These projects include a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including a new school buildings in Prosperous School Planning Area.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students across Prosperous School Planning Area for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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372. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current position and extent of the dialogue taking place between the relevant section of her Department and the relevant school authorities and parents awaiting or anticipating progress in respect of pre-primary, primary and post-primary schools in Naas, County Kildare with particular reference to the need to ensure the provision of adequate school places at all levels in a unified way thereby eliminating any snags that might arise such as the availability of the necessary finance in order to allow the educational needs of the town continue to be met in a way which takes account of the rapidly increasing population of the area and at the same time report progress on the various deliberations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53148/23]

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 the Department.

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.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within 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.

The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, including pre-school provision through the free Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE).

The Department is aware of pressures for school places in Naas School Planning Area. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional school places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, including Naas, 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 once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.

This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.

In line with the Department's demographic projections of school place requirements there has been a continued growth in enrolments in Naas. My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for Naas.

These projects include new school building projects at Mercy Convent and Naas Community College Post Primary School. Additionally, a number of extension projects are also in train at St. Corban’s NS, Holy Child NS, and St. Mary’s Girls Post Primary School which will increase capacity in the Naas School Planning Area.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Naas for the 2024/25 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 Naas School Planning Area will receive a school place.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which ongoing dialogue continues between her Department, the KWETB and the relevant school authorities in Leixlip, County Kildare at pre-primary, primary and post-primary levels with a view to ensuring that sufficient places are being made available to meet the demand of the current and subsequent years without interruption either in respect of continued building where required, the planning of any new schools, or the acceleration of ongoing work in all schools; if satisfactory results can be achieved before the new school year; if she is satisfied that work in progress or steps yet to be taken can proceed without interruption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53149/23]

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. The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for early years education outside the formal education system, including pre-school provision through the free Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE).

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 some areas, 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.

My Department has invested significantly in schools in County Kildare over recent years. Under the National Development Plan, a total of almost €250m has been invested in schools in County Kildare over the last five years. This investment has focused on provision of additional capacity to cater for its increasing population and there are further significant projects in our pipeline including for the Leixlip School Planning Area.

These projects include a new school building project at Leixlip ETNS which is at Project Brief Stage which will increase capacity in the Leixlip School Planning Area.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students across Leixlip School Planning Area for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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374. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which emergency measures are being taken to ensure the availability of the adequate number of school places at primary and second level, with particular reference to the need to meet any such challenges in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53150/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department 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. In addition, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.

The Department is aware of pressures for school places at primary and post primary level in a number of school planning areas. A critical next step is to acquire clarity on the actual number of additional places required for 2024 in order for an appropriate solution to be put in place. In that context, schools in a number of areas of enrolment pressure, 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 once it is received the actual requirement for places can be established. The Department is already having discussions with the relevant school patrons and authorities regarding potential solutions but the understanding of the actual school place needs will give clarity as to the specific actions that are required.

This close engagement with schools and patrons will also allow the Department to identify particular further capacity requirements for the forthcoming years and put any required solutions in place - beyond those that are already in train - to ensure sufficient school places to meet the needs of students in the area.

Over the course of 2023, in excess of 2,000 extra classrooms have been funded for schools around the country. There have been unavoidable delays in the delivery of some of this additional accommodation. The Department is working closely with the schools concerned to keep them appraised of the project timelines and to assist in ensuring that interim arrangements are put in place to facilitate the accommodation of all existing and new classes at the school.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the school planning areas in question, may be viewed on my Department's website at, www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students at primary and post primary level across all school planning areas for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.