Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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421. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans being put in place for a new school (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [2433/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.7 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,150 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.3bn.

In April 2024, the Department of Education announced that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the Department of Education’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.

The Department employs a detailed planning process to determine school provision needs. This process involves dividing the country into 314 school planning areas and utilizing a Geographical Information System (GIS). The GIS uses a variety of data sources, including Child Benefit records and school enrolment statistics, to pinpoint areas where there is a growing demand for school places. This analysis helps identify where additional school accommodations are necessary at both primary and post-primary levels.

In addition to this data, the Department’s forecasts are also informed by current and planned residential developments, as well as population and housing targets set out in Project Ireland 2040. This comprehensive approach ensures that the Department can effectively plan for future school place requirements across the country.

Officials in my Department have met with the school patron and school authority to discuss how the immediate accommodation needs for the school might be addressed.

I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA) from the school in question. The Department recently issued correspondence to school with an offer of accommodation to meet the schools’ immediate needs and are awaiting a response from the school in this regard.