Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of progress of a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50863/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred to by the Deputy were approved a project under the Additional Accommodation Scheme to deliver a 3 Classroom SEN Base.

This project has been devolved for delivery to the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). The Department approved this project to planning (Stage 2b) in May 2024.

Recently the department has contacted officials within the delivery body for an update on planning permission status and a general project update.

We await confirmation from the delivery authority about recent progress on this much needed project.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department remains committed to developing a school at an already identified and designated site (details supplied); to provide an update on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50884/25]

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, 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.

In the department's submission to the South Dublin CDP in 2021 it was noted that the site on Stocking Avenue is to cater for the future needs of the Ballycullen/Oldcourt area where there is further significant proposed residential development. The department regards this site as vital to meet the future needs of the area and it is readily deliverable to meet a school need in terms of location, access and services.

The requirement to establish a new school at Stocking Avenue is currently under review following the recent grant of planning permission for large residential developments in the area and planning activity on residentially zoned lands that remain undeveloped.

Another influencing factor is the impact of the National Planning Framework Implementation Guidelines issued by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to all local authorities recently, identifying the housing growth requirements for each local authority area.

While these growth requirements will be kept under review and updated again before 2030, the Guidelines set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority, based on ESRI modelling of population growth and structural housing demand and assumptions relating to unmet demand. Each local authority has been tasked to reflect these new targets by updating their individual development plans. This will result in changes to land use zonings for residential development in settlements and towns across the Country. The Department will continue to actively engage with Local Authorities, such as South Dublin County Council, to ensure that these changes in settlement patterns are reflected in the projections for school place demand at a local level.

The department will continue to liaise with South Dublin County Council in respect to variations to 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 including the Ballycullen, Firhouse and Oldcourt areas.

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of a school extension project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50885/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide 9 Mainstream classrooms and a 2 Classroom SEN base.

The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I am pleased to confirm that this project has been approved to proceed to Stage 3 (tender), with formal notification issued to the school in March 2025. The department now awaits submission of the tender report.

My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on the project.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide an ASD unit at a school (details supplied); and the timeline for this provision. [50917/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project providing two special educational needs classrooms. The project is devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB for delivery.

The project is at an early stage of the architectural design process and I can confirm that my Department recently received confirmation that a Design Team is appointed. My Department now awaits the initial preliminary design (Stage 1) report. When received this report will be reviewed from a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.

It is now within the remit of Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB to progress this project accordingly.