Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1013. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools in Cork city and county currently operating above enrolment capacity; the projected demand for additional school places over the next five years for Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40954/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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 enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.

Major new residential developments have the potential to alter the demand for school places at a local level. In that regard, as part of the demographic demand analysis, my department monitors planning and construction activity in the residential sector. This involves the analysis of data sources from local authorities and the CSO along with the engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. In this way, up-to-date information on significant new residential developments is obtained and factored into the demographic analysis exercise. This is necessary to ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes, at a local level, where there is a constantly evolving picture with planned new residential development.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:

• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

• Provision of a new school or schools.

If additional accommodation is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, by way of expansion of existing schools rather than establishing new schools. The expansion of existing schools is consistent with wider Government objectives under Project Ireland 2040 for an increased emphasis on compact growth. In respect of post primary schools, new post primary schools must have a student enrolment capacity of 600-1,000 students and must be co-educational. A lower threshold of 400 students may apply to gaelcholáistí, having regard to the alternative of establishing an Irish-medium unit (aonad) in an English-medium school. 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.

At primary level, enrolments for Ballintemple_CorkCity and Gurranbraher_CorkCity school planning areas peaked in 2018. Montenotte_CorkCity SPA enrolments peaked in 2019. South Suburbs_CorkCity enrolments peaked in 2020. Glasheen_CorkCity SPA enrolments are projected to peak in 2027 with enrolments projected to decrease thereafter. At post primary level, enrolments for Montenotte_CorkCity SPA peaked in 2019. South Suburbs_CorkCity SPA enrolments peaked in 2023. Ballintemple_CorkCity SPA and Glasheen_CorkCity SPA enrolments peaked in 2024. Gurranbraher_CorkCity SPA enrolments is projected to peak in 2026 with enrolments projected to decrease thereafter.

Furthermore, as per my Department’s analysis, there are more first year places available across Co. Cork than there are sixth class children enrolled in primary schools. For the 2024/25 year, there was a surplus of first year places available with over 13% of available first year places not being filled. It is expected that there will be a similar surplus for the 2025/26 school year.

My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998. 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 Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, is the statutory agency that can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. The local service is delivered through the national network of Educational Welfare Officers. Contact details are available on Tusla’s website.

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.