Assurances given in Dáil on Kildare school places

A Kildare North TD has asked the Minister for Education of her plans to address the issue of school place shortages in Kildare.

Deputy Aidan Farrelly (SD) tabled his question in the Dáil recently.

In her response, Minister for Education, Deputy Helen McEntee assured Deputy Farrelly that it is “an absolute priority” to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place.

The Department of Education, she said, is continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools in this regard.

Deputy McEntee pointed out that since 2020, the Department has invested over €327 million in school infrastructure in Co Kildare.

This included new school building projects, “state of the art”, modern school accommodation for 1,000 pupils at Naas Community College, Maynooth Communty College and Maynooth Post Primary School, she said.

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There was also provision for 850 pupils at St Paul's Secondary School, Monasterevin at post-primary level.

At primary level, she continued, new 24 mainstream classroom schools were provided for Maynooth BNS, St. Patrick’s BNS, Clane and 16 mainstream classroom schools were provided for St. Joseph’s NS, Kilcock and Maynooth ETNS.

Deputy McEntee said: “My Department is aware of post primary enrolment pressures in Kildare for the 2025/26 school year and, in addition to the capital investment already outlined, has put in place a number of measures to support post-primary schools in managing and effectively coordinating their admissions processes including continuing the data-sharing arrangements with schools in areas of enrolment pressure.

“The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements. In the majority of areas, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area.

“The Department is working with schools to ensure there are sufficient places for all who require a place for 2025. Further additional provision will be made where a need is identified.”

Deputy McEntee said she wished to assure parents in Kildare that while a small number of applicants may not have received an offer of a school place for 2025/2026, “all children who require a school place will be provided with one.”