Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and location of primary schools from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45874/24]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and location of post-primary schools from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45875/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

Please find attached requested data.

Data includes the number of primary and post-primary schools by County for the years 2011 to 2023. With 2023 being the last year we have final data for.

I have also included the number of new primary and post-primary schools opened due to demographic reasons as well as the number of new primary schools due to divesting of patronage.

In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.

Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.

Further analysis has since been conducted on the necessity for the establishment of planned new schools taking into account a number of factors including the pace of delivery of the expected additional residential development in the school planning areas, associated enrolments and the capacity in existing schools in the areas.

My department is satisfied that the existing demand can be accommodated at present by the existing and growing schools in the school planning areas. As a result, the establishment of the planned new schools has been deferred.

The pace of delivery of additional residential development in the school planning areas, along with updated enrolment data and demographic data will be kept under review and this will inform the timing of school requirements. My department will continue to liaise with the Local Authorities in respect to the projected completion of planned residential developments.