127. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's long-term plans for the provision of additional school places, at primary and secondary schools in Louth. [74755/26]

My department is currently reviewing the long-term educational infrastructure requirements for County Louth in consultation with Louth County Council arising from the proposed Variation No. 4 to the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, which seeks to adopt revised housing targets and is currently at material alteration stage. My department engaged with Louth County Council during the preparation of the variation, made a submission in July of this year regarding the potential implications for school place demand, and continues to engage with the local authority as this process progresses.

County Louth comprises six school planning areas: Ardee, Bush, Dundalk, Dunleer, part of Drogheda and part of Carrickmacross. Based on current demographic analysis, projected population levels and expected Junior Infant and First Year enrolments are generally remaining stable or are projected to decline across the county.

The pace of residential development, together with updated enrolment and demographic data, will continue to be monitored and will inform the timing and nature of any future school accommodation requirements. My department will continue to liaise closely with Louth County Council in relation to the County Development Plan and associated local area plans to identify any emerging long-term accommodation requirements across the county, including in the Dundalk area.

As the Deputy may be aware, my department plans for school provision through a network of 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system informed by data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, Child Benefit data and school enrolment data, to identify where additional school accommodation may be required.

Major residential developments have the potential to alter local demand for school places. Accordingly, my department continuously monitors planning and construction activity through analysis of local authority and CSO data, together with ongoing engagement with local authorities and the construction sector. This ensures that school infrastructure planning can respond appropriately to demographic changes and housing growth.

In addition to this longer-term planning approach, an annual school capacity management process is undertaken to ensure that sufficient school places are available 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 intakes, together with direct engagement with schools, patrons and management bodies. Where potential capacity pressures are identified, my department works with schools and patrons to ensure that appropriate provision is put in place.

Where demographic analysis identifies a requirement for additional school accommodation, provision may be delivered through:

• Utilising existing unused capacity within schools;

• Extending the capacity of existing schools; or

• Establishing new school provision where required.

Since 2020, my department has provided more than €132.48 million in capital funding for schools in County Louth.

This investment has supported:

• Upgrades at 35 schools through new school buildings, extensions, modular accommodation and Climate Pathfinder projects;

• Five school building projects scheduled to proceed to tender or construction during 2026 and 2027 under the National Development Plan Implementation Plan;

• Six large-scale building, extension, modular accommodation or Climate Pathfinder projects currently under construction;

• Four projects being delivered under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme; and

• The sanctioning of 80 special classes since 2020, including 12 approved for September 2026.

Details of all school building projects are available on gov.ie and are updated regularly to reflect progress through the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction.

I want to assure the Deputy that my department will continue to keep school place requirements across County Louth under review and will work to ensure that sufficient school capacity is available to meet the needs of children and young people as the county continues to develop.