Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1017. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an update can be provided on the factors currently delaying the development of Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Donaghmede. [20646/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The large-scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputies 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 the tender documents.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1018. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has any plans to transition an existing single-sex school to a co-educational model, or to establish a new co-educational school in the area, in light of the findings of a report recently delivered to her office (details supplied). [20647/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.

The decision-making authority for any change of status is the patron/trustees of the school concerned and it is open to any patron to submit proposals to the Department for consideration.

Any proposed change involves extensive consultation at local level and must be well planned and managed in a manner that accommodates the interests of students, parents, teachers, local communities and contributes to an inclusive education system.

The Patron and relevant stakeholders are also advised to consider the implications that any change of status proposal may have on factors such as school accommodation, funding, staffing and school transport so that an informed decision can be made.

Since 2011, new arrangements have been in place for the establishment of new schools involving the forecasting of demand for school places based on demographic exercises carried out by the department. 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.

These new arrangements also give an opportunity to patrons to apply for the patronage of new schools. The criteria used in deciding on the patronage of new schools place a particular emphasis on parental preference and language preferences and an analysis of existing provision in the areas where the schools are being established. This approach is underpinned by a 2011 Government decision.

The Department will continue to liaise with Local Authorities in respect of their County Development Plans and any associated Local Area Plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including in Killester_Raheny_Clontarf.