Schools Building Projects
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-05
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Noel Grealish (IND), Galway West

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. She is right; I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for education.
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It gives me an opportunity to set out for the House the position with regard to school infrastructure in Dublin Fingal West on behalf of the Department and the Minister for Education and Youth. I can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post-primary level, including children and youth people with special educational needs, is an absolute priority for the Minister. When demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools; extending the capacity of a school or schools; or provision of a new school or schools. If additional accommodation is required, the aim is to try to facilitate this as much as possible 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 and compact growth.
It should be noted that the underlying demographic profile of preschools and school-aged children residing in the Dublin Fingal West area indicates a declining demand for school places. The number of junior and senior infant pupils is approximately 20% lower than the number of children in fifth and sixth classes, with an additional average reduction of 15% a month in preschool-aged children. The demographic data will continue to be monitored by the Department's forward planning section and is subject to change in line with population trends, particularly those influenced by new housing completions.
Between 2020 and 2025, the Department of Education and Youth has provided €1.79 billion in capital funding for Dublin schools. Over this period, a total of 244 schools have been upgraded either through provisions of new school buildings, large-scale extensions or modular accommodation. There are currently 64 school projects under construction in Dublin. Another 20 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, which form part of the first tranche of the €7.55 billion national development plan sectoral implementation plan recently announced by the Minister.
This summer, 53 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the summer works scheme climate action plan. Since 2020, a total of 459 special classes have been opened in Dublin, 58 of which were sanctioned for September 2026. The Department is continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place. With regard to the Dublin Fingal West area, there are a number of active projects are primary level. These projects include St. Molaga's in Balbriggan, St. Michael's Special School in Skerries, Skerries Educate Together National School, Ballyboughal National School and Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín, which will provide for both mainstream and special education needs.
A number of large-scale school projects have been completed in the past six years, including Lusk Community College. Smaller scale additional school accommodation, ASA, projects were also completed across a number of primary and post-primary schools. There are also another 19 projects are primary and post-primary levels at different stages of architectural planning process for schools across the Dublin Fingal West area.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:36+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-05