1123. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide updated projections for school place requirements in North Kildare, including timelines for new school builds or extensions; and whether interim accommodation will be required for September 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60103/26]

My department has a robust forward planning process which considers population and enrolment data.

Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the aim to try and facilitate this, as much as possible, is 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

New schools are only established in areas of demographic growth, as the resources available for school infrastructure must be prioritised to meet the needs of areas of significant population increase to ensure that every child has a school place.

My department 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.

In addition, my department uses geocoded enrolment and child benefit data to carryout granular analysis of the current and projected future population of school going children at a town/settlement level. This informs my department of the current demographic profile of an area and zero migration future population projections.

The NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector 2026-2030 was published in January 2026. This NDP Implementation Plan includes a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity across the school estate and also ensuring that school admissions policies and processes are targeted at meeting local mainstream and special class requirements. Available funding must be prioritised where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.

The school planning areas in North Kildare are Naas, Newbridge, Kilcock, Celbridge, Leixlip, Prosperous-Clane and Maynooth.

Analysis conducted projects that the primary school going population for the Newbridge, Kilcock, Celbridge, Prosperous-Clane and Maynooth school planning areas are remaining steady with Naas and Leixlip school planning areas projected to increase out to 2030.

Analysis conducted projects that the post primary school going population for the Newbridge, Celbridge and Prosperous-Clane school planning areas are remaining steady with Naas, Kilcock, Leixlip and Maynooth school planning areas projected to increase out to 2033.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €429.43 million in capital funding for Kildare schools. Over this period, a total of 56 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.

12 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan. There are currently 16 school projects in Kildare under construction. This summer, 5 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

In addition, since 2020 a total of 96 special classes have been sanctioned in Kildare, of which 33 were sanctioned for September 2026.

Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my 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.

In addition to the Department’s longer-term planning for school infrastructure, an annual school capacity management process is undertaken to ensure that sufficient school places are available to meet demand each year at both primary and post-primary level, including for children and young people with special educational needs.

This process involves ongoing analysis of enrolment trends, demographic data and projected intake at school planning area level, as well as direct engagement with schools, patrons and management bodies. Each school planning area is kept under review on an ongoing basis, with particular regard to projected pupil intake, existing school capacity and emerging enrolment pressures.

Where potential capacity pressures are identified, the Department engages directly with the relevant schools and patrons, including through data-sharing arrangements where appropriate, to better understand application patterns and overlapping demand. This supports timely interventions to ensure sufficient school places are available for the forthcoming school year.

My department is in the process of arranging interim accommodation for St Farnan’s Post Primary school, Prosperous, Co. Kildare in order to facilitate the school's immediate requirements pending delivery of their major building project. It is open to schools in North Kildare to make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)' which is available at www.education.ie. Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same. The department has worked effectively to maximise existing capacity and to deliver building projects to meet requirements for accommodation provision. The majority of the remaining rented interim accommodation units will be replaced when planned building projects are delivered for the schools concerned.

The department will continue to liaise with Kildare 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 those in North Kildare.