Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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656. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a breakdown of the reported 10% surplus of first-year places in the Cabra-Phibsborough-Dublin 7 school planning area for the 2024/2025 school year, by school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30132/25]

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.

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

Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.

The table below sets out the available first year places according to data provided by the schools to the Department in their annual returns.

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work to ensure a school place for every child in Cabra_Phibsboro_D7 school planning area, as with others across the country.