Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware of pressures for school places for the 2024/25 school year in North Kildare School Planning Areas including Prosperous_Clane.

As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across these areas of enrolment pressure, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.

The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified.

While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place.

There will be greater clarity for families over the coming weeks as admissions processes continue to work through and required additional places come on stream.

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 North Kildare area.

These projects include recently completed new school buildings in Naas. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned in Prosperous_Clane School Planning Area. The project to provide for 1,000 pupils at St. Farnan's is currently at Stage 2b and the project at Scoil Mhuire is to provide additional classrooms, 2 science labs and 4 classroom SEN base is at Stage 2b

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.ieand 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.

The picture in relation to school place requirements is very dynamic, noting that children may also move into an area during the course of the school year (including from overseas). This is a particular issue in parts of the country where expansion of residential development has been contributing to mid-year demand for places.

In limited cases where an appropriate school place is not immediately available, an application may be made to the Department of Education’s Home Tuition Grant Scheme.

Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances. By its nature, it is intended to be a short term intervention.

One of the reasons why home tuition might be required for a period is to allow time for a school transport solution to be put in place so that a child can avail of a school placement.

There are currently 11 pupils in County Kildare who are in receipt of Home Tuition Grants due to not having a school place and while school placement solutions are being worked through.

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