Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 will be aware, my Department’s demographic projections utilise various data sources, such as current enrolment figures, child benefit records, census information, residential development data, and migration patterns, among others. Projections are developed across 314 School Planning Area level and at a more granular settlement level in urban areas with higher residential construction activity and population growth.

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.

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 – where pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

• School of choice – pupils might not get a place in their preferred school, but there are places in other schools in the area

• Some areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils

• External draw – where there are pupils coming from outside the local area

In this context, oversubscription of a school or schools is not necessarily representative of a deficit of school places.

Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €62 million in our schools in Co. Cavan. These projects include significant extensions for Virginia College and Bailieborough College. Additionally, a number of further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned in Co. Cavan School Planning Areas.

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 the 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.

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.

Department officials will continue to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students throughout the country for the 2024/25 school year and into the future.