Paul McAuliffe
Question:399. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the new build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69327/25]
View answerTuesday, 9 December 2025
Questions (399)
Written answers
The major building project for the school referred to by the deputy is currently at Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning – Developed Design, where the preferred design option is developed to a stage where the project can be fully cost planned, and prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.
This major project is being delivered under my Departments ADAPT Programme.
The ADAPT Programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.
The brief for this project is to provide a new replacement 16 classroom primary school plus accommodation for pupils with special educational needs at the existing site in Finglas. The current school building will remain in operation until the replacement school is delivered and will be demolished thereafter.
My Department has reviewed the Stage 2(a) Submission. The Stage 2(a) Stakeholders meeting between the School Authorities, Design Team, Project Manager, and my Department, was held on 15th January 2025. The meeting concluded with a request for the Design Team to submit a Stage 2(a) Addendum report addressing issues raised by my Department at the meeting.
My Department have received the Stage 2(a) Addendum report. Upon review of the Stage 2(a) Addendum report, my Department will advise all Stakeholders regarding the further progression of the project.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. It is planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2-year rolling programme.
All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans shortly. My department’s plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.