Written answer
Special Educational Needs
An application for additional school accommodation, including SEN provision, remains under Department assessment, with a decision to follow after reviewing local capacity and demand.
567. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on an additional education needs, AEN, appeal for a school (details supplied). [65089/26]
Comment on this
Further to previous PQ 1152 [59803/26] of 7th September 2026, I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for funding under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question and the application is currently under assessment.
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.
In the context of declining enrolment trends, applications for additional accommodation are assessed with reference to:
1. The extent to which enrolment demand at the school and neighbouring schools reflects local population needs, including whether capacity pressures arise from enrolments outside the local catchment area where alternative school places may be available.
2. The most effective use of existing accommodation capacity across local schools, taking account of both mainstream and special educational needs (SEN) provision.
3. Engagement, where appropriate, with school patrons and individual schools to inform the Department’s assessment and decision-making process.
The Department will continue to progress school building projects on a prioritised basis, focusing on the most pressing capacity and modernisation requirements. A Department-led prioritisation process will remain in place throughout 2026 and 2027 to determine the progression of projects through the design and delivery pipeline, with ongoing engagement involving school patrons and individual schools.
The Department will also continue to work with patrons to identify the most effective means of meeting both immediate and long-term accommodation needs, ensuring schools are well placed to accommodate future enrolment demand.
The school’s application remains under consideration. Once the assessment process has been completed the school authority will be contacted with a decision.