Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the current status of the permanent school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will commit to visiting the site to see first-hand the urgent need for permanent accommodation for students and staff. [16959/25]

Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied); the stage of the development process the project is at; when construction will commence, when it is expected that construction will be completed; and if she will visit the school to allay the concerns of staff, students and parents in relation to the delays. [17046/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 135 together.

The large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is the provision of a new 600 pupil school building including all associated ancillary accommodation.

The project was originally authorised to proceed to tender, upon completion of the prequalification shortlisting process in September 2022.

Planning Permission was due to expire in December 2022 and it was anticipated that an application to extend the duration could be submitted. However, due to changes in the Planning and Development Act 2000, there was no longer provision to apply for an extension of planning permission and a new planning application would be required. The new application was submitted in March 2023 with additional supporting documentation requested by Dublin City Council, which was over and above what had been supplied with the original application.

A new grant of planning was received in December 2023, with a number of conditions attached. Decarbonisation measures were included in a revised project scope in line with Climate Action objectives, and the design team are finalising the tender documents in line with revised Technical guidance documentation from my Department.Department staff remain in close contact with the Design Team and the patron throughout the process. The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and my department officials will be in contact with the school authority as soon as the Design Team complete their review.

All school visits and diary requests are dealt with through my office in the Department and they can liaise with the school in question. I will ask officials in my Department to continue to engage with the school in relation to the concerns raised.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps her Department has taken to fulfil the Programme for Government pledge to roll out nationwide common application systems; the progress made on establishing a common applications process for secondary school places in Dublin west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17208/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department has a very significant capital programme that is providing additional capacity around the country, underpinned by a robust forward planning process. Since 2020, my Department has invested over €5.8 billion in our schools, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Additionally, my officials work very closely with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient places available each year. Good data-sharing between schools and my department is critical to this process.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, is an important piece of legislation which has introduced a more parent-friendly, equitable and consistent approach to how school admissions policy operates for the almost 4,000 primary and post-primary schools. Under this legislation, schools manage the enrolment of around 140,000 children into Junior Infants and First Year every year and this runs smoothly in most cases. However, I am acutely aware that there can be stresses for families when there is high demand for places in an area or in a particular school.

It is in that context that the Programme for Government sets out a commitment to roll out a nationwide common application system to reduce stress on parents and students during application periods. Common application systems are in place in a small number of specific areas, such as at post primary level in Limerick and Ennis, and for primary special classes in Dublin 15. There are a lot of benefits to the system, particularly in terms of identifying capacity pressures at an early point and avoiding duplication on waiting lists.

Learnings from the implementation of these systems will inform the way forward to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment, including for post primary level in Dublin west.