Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which new school buildings are required throughout north County Kildare, whether replacement or the building of new schools; the progress to date in this regard; the schedule for the provision of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30865/24]

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.

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.

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