Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to parents in the Citywest area given the 60% reduction in first year intake of a school on the grounds of building works (details supplied) ; if she is aware of the preexisting shortage of secondary school places in the area, given it has experienced rapid population growth in recent years; the plans, if any, to increase secondary school capacity in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40059/24]

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 children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority for the Department.

As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, the Department of Education divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (or GIS) to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit Data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform the Department’s projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, the Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand. Additional provision is made as necessary, where the existing capacity is insufficient for future needs.

The Department is aware of pressures at post primary level in the Newcastle-Rathcoole School Planning Area in part due to the proposed reduction by Coláiste Pobail Fola in the number of first year places being made available for 2025/26. However, officials from my Department are liaising with school authorities in regards to increasing the number of first year places in the school for September 2025 and further clarification will be provided as a matter of urgency.

I can assure the Deputy that Department officials will continue to actively engage with schools and patrons to ensure that there is appropriate provision for all students in Newcastle-Rathcoole School Planning Area for the 2025/26 school year and into the future.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will accede to a request for a projected enrolment post (arising from exceptional accommodation difficulties) from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40069/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

The staffing arrangements include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. An additional teaching post has been sanctioned to the school referred to by the Deputy for the current school year under this process.