Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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585. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children living on the Donabate peninsula that access primary and secondary schools outside the Donabate area; to include details of the schools and to confirm the number of children who were unable to secure school places locally over the last three years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29841/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Please find attached requested data, which is for academic year 2023-2024 the last year we have final published data and we expect to publish final data for academic year 2024-2025 shortly.

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.

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.

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw

The availability of places is a matter for each individual school in the context of their Admissions legislation. Enrolment data for previous school years is available on the Department website. Provisional enrolment data for the 2024/25 school year is available on the Departments website at www.gov.ie The specific information requested by the Deputy is not available at this time.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is under the remit of my department. TESS operates under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, a piece of legislation that emphasises the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention. TESS has three strands namely the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS) and the two school support services the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme and the School Completion Programme (SCP). The three TESS strands work together collaboratively with schools, parents and guardians and other relevant services to achieve the best educational outcomes for children and young people.

Referrals to the EWS may be made throughout the school year. A referral for a child without a school place is prioritised by the service and an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) is assigned immediately to support families who are in this situation. It will remain an open case until such time as a school place is offered and accepted

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in Donabate, as with others across the country.

">Post Primary Confirmed Residing in Donabate