Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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292. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the position in relation to school planning in the Ashbourne school planning area in Meath; the existing and projected, capacity; how additional demand will be accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23509/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.

In order to plan for school place needs my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my department’s projections of school place requirements.

Demographic data shows that there is an underlining reducing demand for school places in the Ashbourne School Planning Area. The Primary school enrolment figures peaked in 2023 with Child Benefit data projecting a decline in Junior Infant enrolment 2026 – 2029. The Post Primary school enrolment figure peaked in 2022 with current post primary school enrolment in decline year on year.

My department is aware of plans for significant residential developments in Ashbourne. The impact of this has been taken into account when planning for future school place needs.

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.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €473.11 million in capital funding for Meath schools. Over this period, a total of 62 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.

There are currently 13 school projects in Meath under construction. Another 7 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 10 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme.

In addition, since 2020 a total of 125 special classes have been opened in Meath, of which 18 were sanctioned for September 2026.

Furthermore, a total capital ceiling of €7.55 billion for 2026-2030 was allocated to my department under the NDP Review. This is a very significant investment in our Education and Youth sectors and will help deliver on our commitment to have a world-class education system that supports every learner to reach their full potential. Our sectoral investment plan published last month sets out the department’s approach to prioritised investment in school infrastructure to ensure that every child has a school place and to support the overall operation of the school system and Youth Sector in terms of capital infrastructure. There is a strong focus in our plan on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.

Families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one.