Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

805. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to introduce common enrolment systems to school planning areas in Dublin. [18912/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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, Ennis and Howth 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 across school planning areas in Dublin.