Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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872. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria on which a second level school for Newcastle, County Dublin has been refused to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19306/25]

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.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, is 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

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

For school planning purposes Newcastle is in the Newcastle_Rathcoole school planning area. There are currently just over 500 post primary school pupils living in the Newcastle urban area. These pupils attend school in Rathcoole and City West where school capacity has been provided to accommodate them. There are two post primary schools within the school planning area, Holy Family Community School and Coláiste Pobail Fóla. Both of these schools currently have projects underway that will provide additional capacity. These will, when completed, adequately cater for demand for school places in the Newcastle area.