Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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545.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that a number of families are unable to secure school places for their children at both primary and post-primary level in Tullamore, County Offaly (details supplied); if she will take steps to ensure that no child is left behind at the start of the new academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34411/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The Department has been aware of pressures for post primary school places for the 2024/25 school year in Tullamore and continues to engage with the relevant schools and patrons in the area.

On foot of this engagement, Coáiste Choilm has increased their first-year intake by an additional 4 places, relative to what was indicated on their Admissions Notice for 2024/25.

The situation with respect to the filling of the places at schools is an evolving one, as places are offered and accepted and refused, and this process is managed directly by the school authority. It is important to note that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted.

The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers. Contact details are available on Tusla’s website.

Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Tullamore into the future, including through the progression of relevant school building projects. There are currently a number of active projects at primary level and post primary level across the Tullamore School Planning area, including extensions for Coláiste Choilm and Killina Presentation Sec School.