Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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381. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if children with no offers of a secondary school place in Newbridge will be prioritised in the next round of offers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65466/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that 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.

The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. 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.

Furthermore, the data sharing arrangements that were in place for the 2025/26 admissions process have been put in place again for the 2026/27 admissions process in school planning areas that are experiencing enrolment pressures, including Newbridge. The admissions data provided by schools will allow the department to analyse duplicate applications as there can be significant overlap in areas.

The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools, and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, it may take some time for my department to fully review the availability of post-primary school places in Newbridge while the admissions process continues to progress.

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.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

I can assure the Deputy that my department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Newbridge school planning area, as with other areas across the country, under review.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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382. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of any secondary schools in Newbridge seeking deposits from parents to secure places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65467/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Section 64 of the admissions act specifically prohibits the charging of fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or at the time of accepting the offer for the enrolment of a student in a school.

Therefore, no charge can be requested or implied as a condition of admission for a school placement. This section applies to all recognised primary and post primary schools with exceptions only for fee charging secondary schools, boarding schools and schools that provide post-leaving courses or courses in further education in respect of these courses.

The Department has not been made aware of any school in the Newbridge area seeking deposits from parents. In instances where the Department is made aware of schools charging fees that are prohibited by section 64, the Department will follow up with the school(s) concerned.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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383. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has engaged with Newbridge secondary schools on projected enrolments for 2026; her plans for temporary accommodation in Newbridge schools; and when these details will be confirmed. [65468/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that 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.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €382 million in school infrastructure across County Kildare. 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.

Furthermore, the data sharing arrangements that were in place for the 2025/26 admissions process have been put in place again for the 2026/27 admissions process in school planning areas that are experiencing enrolment pressures, including Newbridge. The admissions data provided by schools will allow the department to analyse duplicate applications as there can be significant overlap in areas.

The Deputy will appreciate that there can often be significant overlap across areas and schools, and the nature of the admissions processes is quite complex. As a result, there can be multiple iterations, where applicants may accept a place but subsequently be offered and accept a place at a second school, freeing up capacity at the first school accepted. In that context, it may take some time for my department to fully review the availability of post-primary school places in Newbridge while the admissions process continues to progress.

There are a number of active projects at post-primary level that will increase capacity in Newbridge, including a new school building project for Patrician Secondary School which will provide for LTPE of 1,000 and six special education classrooms, this project is currently at Stage 3. In addition, there are extension projects for St Conleth's Community College and Holy Family Secondary School, both projects are at Stage 1.

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.

Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

I can assure the Deputy that my department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Newbridge school planning area, as with other areas across the country, under review.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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384. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a school (details supplied) being the only secondary school in Newbridge without a local selection criteria. [65469/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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. Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available for the relevant year, the student should be admitted.

However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some students not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.

In accordance with the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, schools are required to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. It is an important feature of the act that schools can only make a decision on an application for admission that is based on the school’s admission policy.

Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) is the agency which can assist parents who are experiencing difficulty in securing a school place for their child. Educational Welfare Services (EWS) contact details are: tessinfo@tusla.ie or telephone: 01 7718815.