1330. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of junior infant enrolments in the Blanchardstown School Planning Area for September 2026 and 2027, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62579/26]

My department monitors demographic trends, population projections and school enrolment patterns on an ongoing basis to ensure that sufficient school places are available to meet demand. Through its forward planning process, engagement with school authorities and the delivery of the school building programme, my department works to identify and address current and emerging requirements across the country.

The provision of school places and the operation of admissions processes are matters for individual school authorities, in line with their published admissions policies and relevant legislation. Schools determine their own intake numbers and maintain their own enrolment and waiting list information.

Information on junior infant intake numbers for individual schools is published in each school’s Admissions Notice on their respective websites. National enrolment data is available on gov.ie.

The junior infant enrolment for 2025 and population projections of junior infants living in Blanchardstown_West_D15 and BlanchardstownVge_D15 school planning areas are as below.

Projections have been produced based on current pupils residing in the area and future population arising from likely housing delivery.

While the department’s school planning areas are very useful for planning purposes at a national level, in dense urban areas it is necessary for the department to take a broader perspective in the assessment of school accommodation requirements. In urban areas there can be a high degree of inward and outward mobility of children between school planning areas, often linked with public transport and active travel routes, and parents are free to apply to enrol their children in any school, whether that is in the school planning area in which they reside or not.

The department will continue to liaise with Fingal County Council in respect of their county development plans, and any associated local area plans with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements across school planning areas including Blanchardstown.