Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to streamline the school building programme application model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43427/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the deputy will be aware, my department is constantly reviewing demographics areas to analyse further accommodation requirements or projects that need to be added to our building programme. My department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System (GIS), using data from a range of sources, including 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.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular 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.

With regard to the school building programme, a record level of investment in school buildings is expanding capacity in our school estate, facilitating a significant increase in special educational needs provision, and upgrading and modernising school infrastructure.

Since 2020, this 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. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.?

My department received €210m supplementary capital funding which brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for the department to €1.6 billion.

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 following the finalisation of the NDP allocation.

The appraisal of school accommodation requirements is complex, and considers various technical, demographic, and operational issues. In that context, there is a requirement for significant direct engagement with schools, including the provision of detailed information as part of the application process.

Nevertheless, my department continues to streamline its processes, including through the use of Information Technology as evidenced in the recent Schools Photovoltaic Programme. The application process for this programme was operated using my department’s online School Hub portal. A simplified application process has also been introduced for schools seeking to reconfigure existing accommodation to facilitate special classes. My department will continue to work to identify further opportunities for the streamlining of the application process for building projects for schools.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to build new secondary schools and/or expand capacity at other schools within County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43428/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that requirement for school places is kept under on-going review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.

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.

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, is 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.

There are 5 post-primary projects to expand capacity planned in County Louth and when completed, will cater for the demand for school places in the area:

Bush Post Primary School (Roll No: 71750U) – Brief: Extension to deliver for LTPE 700 pupil school & 2x Special education classroom. Stage 4: Stage 4 is the signing of the letter of acceptance to the successful contractor and commencement on site. This project will increase the mainstream capacity of this school by 150 places.

Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer (Roll No: 71780G) – Brief: 750 pupil school & 2x Special education classroom. Stage 5: Stage 5 is final handover of the school building to the Patron/Board of Management. This project increased the mainstream capacity of this school by 170 places.

St Vincents Sec School (Roll No: 63900R) – Brief: 3x Science laboratory and 1x Prep area, 1x Technology room and Prep area,1x DCG room, 1x Multimedia room, 1x Special education tuition room, 2x Mainstream classroom, 5x Special education classroom, Canteen. GP Store and Servery. Stage 2b: Stage 2b is the developed design & lodgement of planning permission. This project will increase the mainstream capacity of this school by 48 places.

Drogheda ETSS (Roll No: 68348A) – Brief: 1,000 pupil new school & 6x Special education classroom. Stage2b.

Ardee Community School (Roll No: 91441T) – Brief: 18x Mainstream classroom, 1x Science laboratory and prep area, 2x Construction room,1x tech prep, 1x Home Economics classroom, 1x Art room, 2x Special education classroom, 1x HSCL, 3x Project store. Stage 2a: Stage 2A involves the preliminary design, site surveys and cost estimates. This project will increase the mainstream capacity of this school by 432 places.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.

The department will continue to liaise with Louth County Council in respect of their county development plan and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas.