93. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on post primary capacity planning for locations (details supplied), including the current assessment of projected enrolment pressure; the steps her Department is taking to ensure an adequate supply of secondary school places in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70838/25]

Sentiment score: 0.11

I ask for an update on post-primary capacity planning in Clontarf, Killester and Raheny, including the current assessment of projected enrolment pressure and the steps the Department is taking to ensure an adequate supply of secondary school places, particularly in co-educational schools as a survey has shown that 89% of parents in the area want co-educational education.

Sentiment score: 0.38

I appreciate that every child has a space but these spaces are not where parents desire to send their children. It is bananas. I was recently at an event with a load of up-and-coming parents, the new generation, and they were unanimously for this. The report submitted to the Minister's office shows a community that is ready for change and parents who are willing to support that change. Is there an indication of whether the Department is actively considering the establishment of new co-educational secondary schools in the area because there is clearly a demand? I would appreciate clarity as to whether Education Equality will be included in the national convention on education. It has emailed the office but has not got a reply. It wishes to discuss the ongoing issues around children's rights and the need for schools to uphold freedom of religion and belief in practice. With the new generation of parents and the new generation coming up in Ireland, it is very important that we provide this option. We can see the statistics. We need to act on them.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I appreciate that. It is very important that Education Equality is invited to the national convention on education. It represents a large cohort of parents and a large cohort of the future generation. It needs to be replied to. We can be assured that representatives from State bodies and patrons will be there to fight their cases. It is important that Education Equality is there to show the other side on behalf of people who want change. I thank the Minister of State on the record of the House for all the help he has given me in my work in Dublin Bay North with regard to Stapolin Educate Together National School in Baldoyle and for everything he has done in relation to special education. It is really appreciated. His visit was brilliant. Will he provide an update on the current assessment of projected enrolment figures for the area? Chris Joyce and all of the parents involved in the Killester Raheny Clontarf school campaign are working tirelessly to show the Department what is needed. They have submitted a report to the Department but feel they are not being listened to. I appreciate what the Minister of State said about the volume of work involved. I understand the number of enrolments is huge and that everything must be processed but the campaign has done the work. Of 1,800 parents interviewed, 89% want co-education.

Sentiment score: 0.24

208. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline current and planned measures to expand apprenticeship and trade-focused education opportunities in north Dublin given the significant demand for skilled workers Ireland will face through major housing delivery targets and offshore renewable energy developments over the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67806/25]

Sentiment score: 0.28

I, too, wish the Athenry camogie team the best of luck. We need to change the public perception of trades. I am aware that Jim Hargis, at the education and training hub in St. Andrew's Resource Centre, Dublin, is playing a key role in designing and running community-focused education. For the construction industry, the skills programme and the future of our offshore renewable energy, we need more trades and skilled workers. We need to change the public perception to show this is a very good option for people to go into.

Sentiment score: 0.37

I am glad the Minister of State has visited the training board at St. Andrew's in Dublin. Having gone through the points race in the leaving certificate, apprenticeships were never really an option and were not discussed among my peers because we were not shown and educated about the trades route. I now see a lot of people going into it when they move abroad, or if they come up, but they need to be shown more. We need to do more advertising to show people because with the development of housing or offshore renewable energy, we will need these skilled workers. It would be much better if we had a native workforce that could be here to continue with any infrastructure project we have. We have a lot of projects to do. On these skilled workers, it is important to mention that the system bottlenecks are holding the workforce back. I recently saw that some apprenticeship pathways can be designed to take 228 weeks, yet the mandatory eligibility period means apprenticeships at each phase take far longer than intended. That is something we need to look into. If the time is longer, it will deter people from apprenticeships.

Sentiment score: 0.15

It is great to see that. I welcome the engagement the Minister of State has had with me so far. Especially for my constituency, and from speaking to young adults, it would be great if we could continue to see the investment she mentioned into more apprenticeship programmes. There are a lot of derelict sites in north Dublin that could be upgraded and used as an apprenticeship college. There are ones we could invest in. We need to show, north Dublin especially, that there are other options for these kids and future adults, as the Minister of State said, and that this is not a plan B or C. It should be considered a plan A. I welcome what she said about social media. We need to continue actively promoting apprenticeships as first-choice career routes. Centres such as St. Andrew's, as the Minister of State mentioned, demonstrate that when training is practical, supportive and connected it helps people succeed in their career going forward. I welcome its inclusive model. I hope it can be used as a blueprint across the country.

Sentiment score: 0.47