Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department’s approach to supporting democratic schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17723/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department only funds recognised primary, post primary and special schools. This includes schools which were in operation at the time of the enactment of the 1998 Education Act (including fee-charging post primary schools), schools which were applied for and were granted provisional and/or permanent recognition in the period 1998-2011, and schools which have been established in response to demographic growth since 2011.

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

The priorities for my Department’s available funding are the support of existing recognised schools and the provision of any required additional capacity, including for children with special education needs.

There is no scope for the recognition of schools which have been operating outside the State-funded scheme. However, when a new school is established a patronage process is run by the Department and it is open to all potential patrons to apply for patronage of such a new school.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied) regarding to the establishment of a democratic school in Waterford. [17724/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department only funds recognised primary, post primary and special schools. This includes schools which were in operation at the time of the enactment of the 1998 Education Act (including fee-charging post primary schools), schools which were applied for and were granted provisional and/or permanent recognition in the period 1998-2011, and schools which have been established in response to demographic growth since 2011.

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth as the resources available for school infrastructure have to be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase so as to ensure that every child has a school place.

The priorities for my Department’s available funding are the support of existing recognised schools and the provision of any required additional capacity, including for children with special education needs.

There is no scope for the recognition of schools which have been operating outside the State-funded scheme. However, when a new school is established a patronage process is run by the Department and it is open to all potential patrons to apply for patronage of such a new school.