Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for the status on a new multi-denominational secondary school for Dublin 8. [10270/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

While the department’s school planning areas are very useful for planning purposes at a national level, in dense urban areas such as Dublin City it is necessary for the department to take a broader perspective in the assessment of school accommodation requirements, particularly at post primary level. In city areas there can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between School Planning Areas, often linked with public transport and active travel routes, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the School Planning Area in which they reside or not.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:

• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

• Provision of a new school or schools.

If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to Gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (Aonad) in an English-medium school.

Recent demographic analysis has determined that there is not a sufficient unmet demand in the Dublin 8 area to establish a new post primary school. There was a surplus of first year places available for the 2024/25 school year with circa 16% of available first year places not being filled. It is expected that there will be a similar surplus for the 2025/26 school year. Any future shortfall in capacity required to meet the demand for post primary schools can be catered for in the existing post primary schools.

Some families are choosing to enrol their children in post primary schools outside the Dublin 8 school planning area, including in multi-denominational schools. While a small number of children from Dublin 8 are enrolled in Sandymount Park ETSS, greater numbers are enrolled in Clogher Road Community College, a multi-denominational school that is operated under the joint patronage of CDETB and Educate Together. This school’s admission policy includes provision for Dublin 8 pupils. In addition, Harolds Cross ETSS enrols children from Dublin 8 and has a multi-denominational ethos. The delivery of their new school building currently under construction will increase first year places from 90 at present to 160. Both schools are located less than 1km from the Dublin 8 School Planning Area boundary. Also, Kylemore College in Ballyfermot includes provision for Dublin 8 pupils in its admission policy and is also located less than 1km from the Dublin 8 school planning area border on the Inchicore side.

Ensuring sufficient school capacity is a priority for the department, and the school place needs in Dublin 8 will continue to be kept under review. Additionally, the department will continue to work with the school authorities and patrons to support any required increase in capacity at schools in Dublin 8 and the surrounding areas.