Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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379. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether Greystones is one of the areas to be included in the pilot common application system for the 2025-2026 admissions process; if not, if she would include it in light of the annual enrolment difficulties in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35727/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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.

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 €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects and with construction currently underway in over 325 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. 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. Both Junior Infant and First Year intake numbers are declining nationally year on year, and there were unfilled first year places in September 2024 across every county. 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 and Ennis, 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. I believe that the introduction of a common application system can be a game changer, particularly for parents and children with special educational needs.

My department is taking lessons from the implementation of these systems and building on the recent experience of data-sharing with schools to pilot an early iteration of a common application system at post primary level in a small number of areas for the 2026/27 admissions process. This will inform development towards the Programme for Government commitment for a national system.

Engagement with key stakeholders is currently ongoing and I expect to be in a position to confirm the pilot towns shortly.