Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the projected population growth in Donabate outpaces her Department’s delivery of new primary and secondary schools for the area; if her Department, via the capital plan for the area, will ensure that the delivery of new schools is prioritised to meet the demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39785/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places are kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.

Over 1,400 Large Scale, Additional Accommodation and Modular school building projects have been completed between 2020 and to date in 2025.

Since 2020, my Department has invested over €1.4 billion in school infrastructure across Co. Dublin and the Department is continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place.

As part of the NDP Review process, all departments, including my department, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026-2030. It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow my department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important. The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the 2026 to 2030 period that cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area will be considered on a rolling basis from Autumn onwards after the NDP allocations are finalised.

I want to assure the Deputy my 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 Donabate.