Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of school places required at primary and second level in Celbridge, County Kildare with particular reference to the needs emerging in September; if the three-school project is advancing at appropriate pace to meet all of the requirements, including replacement for a school (details supplied); if it is anticipated that adequate spaces will be made available by September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30844/24]

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 those with special educational needs, is an absolute priority for my Department.

More than €280 million has been invested in school infrastructure in County Kildare since 2020 alone, reflecting a strong focus on alignment of school place availability with the significant residential development across the county. This investment includes recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.

The project for the school to which the Deputy refers has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programme. The school will be delivered as part of a campus development at Donaghcumper, Celbridge. The brief for this project comprises of the development of a new purpose-built, 26 classroom school for pupils with special educational needs. The project is at Stage 1 of the architectural design process. The process of appointing the design team was completed in Q1 2024. The design team are currently progressing the site surveys in preparation of the Stage 1 report. I’m pleased to inform you that the sale closed for the acquisition of the site at Donaghcumper in late Q2 2024. The NDFA have and will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.

I recently announced the progression of the “Project Boyne” bundle of six large-scale school building projects to tender this year, under a programme devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency. Three of the six projects are for County Kildare schools, namely Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen; Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge; and St Mary’s College, Naas.

Where expedited delivery of school accommodation is required, my Department also utilises its Modular Accommodation Framework. This is particularly beneficial in the context of the significant growth in requirements for provision for children with special educational needs.

In addition, a key focus of the Department is the utilisation of existing accommodation at schools to provide facilities for special classes. This approach also supports accelerated delivery and ensures that provision is well integrated within the mainstream school accommodation.

There are currently some 20 modular and reconfiguration projects ongoing across County Kildare to meet school place requirements.

Nationally, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, there is significant regional and local variation in enrolment trends and projections, with residential construction activity one of the most significant influencing factors. This means that, as enrolments nationally begin to decline, we can still expect to see increasing demand at primary and post primary level in particular towns and areas. This is fully factored into my Department’s data analysis and strategic planning approach, including for Co Kildare.

With regard to special education provision, I can confirm that fourteen new special classes – ten at primary and four at post-primary level – have been sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education for opening across Kildare in the 2024/2025 school year. The Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and also the more strategic and longer-term requirements.

In addition, a new special school will open in Co Kildare in the coming school year, one of four to be established around the country in 2024/2025.

It is important to note that enrolment pressures may not necessarily be as a result of school place deficits in a town or area, but may be driven by factors such as duplication of applications, applications from outside the local area, and school of choice factors. My Department’s priority and responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, meet the school place need.

That said, it is acknowledged that enrolment pressures have arisen in some specific areas. My Department has been working very closely with patrons, management bodies and schools to work solutions in the small number of cases where additional places are required for the coming school year.

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in Celbridge, and across the rest of the country, including by advancing required school building projects.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she anticipates an adequate provision of school places at primary and second level in Leixlip, County Kildare, by September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30845/24]

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 those with special educational needs, is an absolute priority for my Department.

Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These projects involve a total State investment of over €1.2 billion. This is a record level of investment in school buildings.

More than €280 million has been invested in school infrastructure in County Kildare since 2020 alone, reflecting a strong focus on alignment of school place availability with the significant residential development across the county. This investment includes recently completed new school buildings in Maynooth and Naas. Additionally, further new school buildings and extensions are at construction or planned, including in Prosperous, Kilcock, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Naas and Clane.

I recently announced the progression of the “Project Boyne” bundle of six large-scale school building projects to tender this year, under a programme devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency. Three of the six projects are for County Kildare schools, namely Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen; Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge; and St Mary’s College, Naas.

Where expedited delivery of school accommodation is required, my Department also utilises its Modular Accommodation Framework. This is particularly beneficial in the context of the significant growth in requirements for provision for children with special educational needs.

In addition, a key focus of the Department is the utilisation of existing accommodation at schools to provide facilities for special classes. This approach also supports accelerated delivery and ensures that provision is well integrated within the mainstream school accommodation.

There are currently some 20 modular and reconfiguration projects ongoing across County Kildare to meet school place requirements.

Nationally, Ireland has been experiencing growth in overall post primary enrolments and this is projected to continue in many parts of the country for the next number of years before beginning to decline. However, there is significant regional and local variation in enrolment trends and projections, with residential construction activity one of the most significant influencing factors. This means that, as enrolments nationally begin to decline, we can still expect to see increasing demand at primary and post primary level in particular towns and areas. This is fully factored into my Department’s data analysis and strategic planning approach, including for Co Kildare.

It is important to note that enrolment pressures may not necessarily be as a result of school place deficits in a town or area, but may be driven by factors such as duplication of applications, applications from outside the local area, and school of choice factors. My Department’s priority and responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, meet the school place need.

That said, it is acknowledged that enrolment pressures have arisen in some specific areas. My Department has been working very closely with patrons, management bodies and schools to work solutions in the small number of cases where additional places are required for the coming school year.

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in Leixlip, and across the rest of the country, including by advancing required school building projects.