Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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553. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of current DEIS schools within the Drogheda school planning area (including the location and name of school). [17495/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Please find attached requested data, current DEIS primary and post-primary schools located in the Drogheda School Planning Area.

The data was collated from the preliminary primary and post-primary school lists for academic year 2024-2025 which can be found at the link below.

">Info

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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554. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of current primary and secondary schools within the Drogheda school planning area (including the location and name of school). [17496/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Please find attached requested data, primary, post-primary and special schools located in the Drogheda School Planning Area.

The data was collated from the preliminary primary and post-primary school lists for academic year 2024-2025 which can be found at the link below.

www.gov.ie/en/collection/63363b-data-on-individual-schools/

">Info

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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555. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a breakdown of the total number of primary and secondary school students currently enrolled in schools within the Drogheda school planning area (including the location and name of school). [17497/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Please find attached requested information. Please note that enrolment data is for academic year 2023-2024 as this is the latest year available for final enrolment data.

We expect to publish final enrolment data for academic year 2024-2025 in June.

">Info

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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556. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to review the Drogheda school planning area, noting the population increases and further projected population increases, which is potentially impacting students’ ability to secure a nearest primary/secondary school placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17498/25]

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.

My department also conducts demographic analysis at both school planning area and settlement level. More granular analysis is carried out in, areas encompassing both high growth urban settlement areas and a more rural hinterland.

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.

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 for the department.

It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw

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.

Projects that are active in the Drogheda SPA that will cater for demand are SN Ard Mhuire C (Roll number 19215C) has a new project for 24 mainstream classroom and 4 special education classrooms. This will provide a further 7 mainstream classes and 3 SEN. At post primary level, Drogheda ETSS (Roll number 68348A) has a project for a new 1,000 pupil school which will provide an additional 504 places.

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.

The department will continue to liaise with local authorities 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.

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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557. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on plans to provide additional primary and secondary school places within the Drogheda school planning area, noting the projected population increases in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17499/25]

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.

While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

• Duplication of applications

• School of choice

• Single sex schools

• External draw

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.

There are a number of active primary and post primary projects in the Drogheda school planning area that will increase capacity, including new school building project for Drogheda ETSS to provide capacity of 1,000 and six special education classrooms. This project is currently at Stage 2b. A new school building project is underway for SN Ard Mhuire C, to provide for twenty-four mainstream classrooms and four special education classrooms. This project is at procurement stage. In addition, there are several extension projects which will increase capacity, including for St. Olivers Community College and St. Pauls Senior National School.

The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, may be viewed on the 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.

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 Department will continue to liaise with local authorities 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 including Drogheda.

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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558. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on primary projects planned within the Drogheda school planning area (details supplied). [17502/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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he large scale capital project for Marymount NS referred to by the Deputy, is included in my Department’s construction programme which will be delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040. The project is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 - Tender Action and Award. The next step for the project will be the authorisation to proceed to the award stage on completion of the Reserved Specialists tender report review. My Department officials will keep the school authority updated on the project progression.

In relation to Sandpit National School, this was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide 2 SEN base classrooms. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority. The school was approved to the planning stage of the project in Q1 2025. My Department is currently awaiting the stage 2b report from the school. Once the Stage 2b report is received, reviewed and approved by the Department, the next stage will be to tender for the contractor. Upon completion of this review process my Department officials will communicate with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project.

In relation to St Pauls Senior National School, this was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide 7 mainstream classrooms and 2 Special Education Tuition (SET) rooms. The project was devolved for delivery to the school authority. I can confirm that the project is currently at Stage 1 and my Department is waiting for a submission of Stage 1 Architectural Design Report from the school authority for review. Once received, this will be evaluated from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. Once the review is concluded my Department will be in contact directly with the school authority to advise how best to progress this important project.

The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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559. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on post primary projects planned within the Drogheda school planning area (details supplied). [17503/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The following is the current position of building projects planned for the 4 schools referred to by the Deputy within the Drogheda school planning area:

• RN 62841E - project approved under the Department Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) - project is current at stage 2A - project is to provide additional mainstream, specialist rooms and SET rooms.
• RN 71761C - project approved under ASA scheme to provide suitable accommodation to cater for 1,500 pupil plus SEN classes. The project is currently at stage 1.
• RN 63840C - school has submitted an ASA application which is under review in the Department at present.
• RN 63860I - Project approved under ASA scheme in 2024 for provision of additional specialist accommodation and 4 SEN classes. This project is at stage 1

Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5 billion.?? Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 600,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.???

This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure.?The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.?

Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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560. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on post primary school projects underway within the Drogheda school planning area. [17504/25]

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. 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.

At post primary level, Drogheda ETSS has a project for a new 1,000 pupil school which will provide an additional 504 school places. There is also a significant Additional School Accommodation (ASA) project ongoing at St Olivers Community College with capacity for 500 school places as well as projects at St Marys Diocsean School and St Joseph's CBS.

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.

The department will continue to liaise with local authorities 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.

For transparency, the status of all projects is regularly updated and can be found on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie. This information reflects the progress of projects through various stages, including capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender, and construction.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5 billion. Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 600,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.

This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.