Written Answers Nos. 173-193
173. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide details of the resilience and effectiveness scheme; the length of time it has been operating; the way in which the decision is made on whether the fund will run in a year; the drawdowns by ETB that have been made in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10937/26]
View answerThe department is dedicated to enhancing the delivery and development of youth work services and opportunities for young people across the country.
Funding for the provision of targeted youth services is administered on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) by education and training boards (ETBs), which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space (UBU) scheme. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk, of becoming disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable.
In 2026, over €53 million will be allocated to the UBU scheme. The scheme provides funding to 258 targeted youth services across 16 education and training boards (ETBs) which coordinate delivery of funding to the services in their local ETB areas.
The Resilience and Effectiveness (R&E) Initiative is a UBU Your Place Your Space (UBU) initiative to support UBU funded organisations to deliver more efficient and comprehensive services to young people, while ensuring that they have sufficient resilience to operate effectively in the medium to long term.
The R&E initiative has been designed to address specific issues or concerns within individual UBU funded organisations, whether to address ongoing financial challenges or to increase service provision for young people. The process is open to all organisations funded under Strand A of the UBU scheme who meet the eligibility criteria set by the department.
The role of each ETB is to identify and prioritise funded organisations within its functional area that should be considered under this initiative. Funded organisations seeking to be awarded an amount under this initiative submit a short form to their relevant ETB demonstrating how they meet the eligibility criteria.
The R&E initiative was launched in 2021. The decision on whether the R&E initiative will run in a given year is subject to the overall budget allocated to the Youth Affairs unit and the unit's priorities for that year.
The drawdowns by ETB that have been made in each year the R&E initiative has run are listed in the following table:
|
ETB |
UBU R & E Expenditure 2021 |
UBU R & E Expenditure 2022 |
UBU R & E Expenditure 2023 |
UBU R & E Expenditure 2024 |
UBU R & E Expenditure 2025 |
|
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
€5,883.00 |
€13,125.00 |
N/A |
€13,333.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
City of Dublin ETB |
€71,562.00 |
€161,021.00 |
N/A |
€113,349.00 |
€139,212.00 |
|
Cork ETB |
€25,028.00 |
€56,322.00 |
N/A |
€37,651.00 |
€46,461.50 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire ETB |
€36,846.00 |
€72,647.00 |
N/A |
€72,997.34 |
€84,420.00 |
|
Donegal ETB |
€5,833.00 |
€13,126.00 |
N/A |
€12,000.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Galway and Roscommon ETB |
€18,363.00 |
€41,321.00 |
N/A |
€29,865.00 |
€28,520.25 |
|
Kerry ETB |
€5,833.00 |
€13,126.00 |
N/A |
€13,333.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow ETB |
€13,248.00 |
€25,461.00 |
N/A |
€23,688.00 |
€34,186.00 |
|
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB |
€5,833.00 |
€12,938.00 |
N/A |
€13,333.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Laois Offaly ETB |
€5,833.00 |
€13,127.00 |
N/A |
€12,000.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Limerick and Clare ETB |
€20,277.00 |
€45,625.00 |
N/A |
€36,229.00 |
€43,902.00 |
|
Longford and Westmeath ETB |
€6,065.00 |
€13,648.00 |
N/A |
€13,334.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Louth and Meath ETB |
€7,713.00 |
€17,358.98 |
N/A |
€12,000.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB |
€5,833.00 |
€13,125.00 |
N/A |
€13,333.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Tipperary ETB |
€7,210.00 |
€16,222.00 |
N/A |
€13,333.00 |
€20,000.00 |
|
Waterford and Wexford ETB |
€25,342.00 |
€57,022.00 |
N/A |
€31,255.00 |
€43,295.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€266,702.00 |
€585,214.98 |
€0.00 |
€461,033.34 |
€599,996.75 |
The scheme will run again in 2026 and allocations are currently being finalised for issue to the ETBs.
174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an update on the review of UBU scheme; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10938/26]
View answerUBU Your Place Your Space (UBU) is the largest youth services scheme funded by the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) targeting young people aged between 10 to 24 who are identified as marginalised, vulnerable and at risk of not flourishing. The UBU scheme now provides funding to 258 targeted youth services across the 16 education and training boards (ETBs) that coordinate delivery of funding to the services in their local ETB areas. Over €53 million has been allocated to the UBU scheme in 2026.
Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services (Opportunities for Youth) is the strategic framework for the youth work sector, published in September 2024. The strategy aims to build awareness of youth services, strengthen youth services, and ensure that youth services remain accessible and of value to young people across Ireland.
Under Action 8 of Opportunities for Youth, work has begun on a review of the UBU scheme. The review will assess how the scheme operates, the extent to which the scheme is meeting its objectives, and whether the processes and procedures that underpin the scheme are fit for purpose.
The Youth Affairs unit is currently engaging with the Business Process Improvement (BPI) unit in DEY and an initial scoping exercise on the schemes processes is underway. As part of this process, the BPI intends to engage with education and training boards (ETBs) and youth service providers for their input into the scheme’s operations. It is expected that this part of the review will be completed in the coming months and will inform next steps.
Separately, consideration is being given to the review of the more qualitative aspects of the UBU scheme, and it is planned that this work will commence in 2026.
175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an update on the targeted youth employability support initiative; to detail the impact measurement tool that is being developed; the timeline for the trial and evaluation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10939/26]
View answerThe Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative is delivered through 18 services managed by youth organisations and supported by education and training boards. The aim of the TYESI is to engage and support the harder to reach young people aged 15 to 24 years who are not in employment, education, or training. The focus of the initiative is on soft skills and developing these in relation to employability. The TYESI focuses on improving outcomes for young people in communication skills, confidence, agency, resilience and determination.
The focused interventions are intended to provide community-based support to assist young people to attain a level of confidence and agency to engage in a wide range of currently available progression routes, programmes or services, for example: Youthreach, Community Training Centres, Community Employment Schemes, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, Pathways to Work and/or progress into employment. The current cycle will run until year end 2027.
An evaluation of the previous TYESI delivered between mid-2021 and end of 2022 recommended that the department co-design a suitable measurement tool and to embed impact measurement to include participant-focused measures which could significantly enhance the evaluation process. The evaluation also recommended adopting a digital tool to record and track participant progress.
Throughout 2025, the department engaged with Maynooth University, the TYESI youth workers and managers, ETB youth officers and young people, both former participants and current participants, to develop a suitable impact measurement tool. The digital impact measurement tool was trialled by young people during 2025 to ensure the language was appropriate, the tool was easy to access and the information being asked was relevant and necessary. The feedback from young people directly informed a revised tool which has now been finalised and is accompanied by a user guide.
It is intended that a trial will begin in the coming weeks and run throughout 2026. An evaluation of the tool will be undertaken following the trial period which will feed into an evaluation of the overall initiative in 2027.
176. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10974/26]
View answerThe project to which the deputy refers has been devolved to Cork Educational and Training Board.
The project brief is for a new post primary school building to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment of 1000 pupils and 4 special education needs classroom base.
Coachford Community College is currently at Stage 2b (post planning process) of the architectural design process which allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. The department awaits submission of a Stage 2b report. Once received, it will undergo a detailed technical and cost review in line with the Public Spending Code. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
As the Deputy will be aware, the department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, the department has published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.
These projects are in addition to €767.68 million in capital funding for Cork schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 157 Cork schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 20 school projects in County Cork under construction. Another 12 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 35 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme.
The department recognises that there are schools with building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
The accommodation needs at the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
177. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a breakdown of the amount spent on applications for school building projects at stage before submitting 2B, that were not on the priority list 2026/2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10976/26]
View answerMy department has a large capital programme including in the region of 600 school building projects at pre stage 2b across our large scale and additional accommodation programmes. Due to the substantial volume of projects involved, it is not feasible to provide the details requested within this response. If the Deputy requires further information on a specific project, we can assist further.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects along with over 3,700 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal.
This significant investment has delivered real benefits for school communities and includes in the region of €768 million in capital funding for Co. Cork schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 157 schools has been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 20 school projects in County Cork under construction.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. These 105 projects will provide over 27,000 additional and modernised school places a particular priority is the expansion of capacity in our special schools.
This list includes 12 projects in County Cork. Furthermore 35 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Climate Action Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 332 special classes have been opened in Cork, 26 of which were sanctioned for September 2026
The current status of all projects is set, out under item number ten, at the following link ([www.gov.ie]). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
178. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the assistance her Department is giving schools where State agencies formed part of the further information required for a school to move to submitting 2B application for school building project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10977/26]
View answerThe project at Coachford CC which the deputy refers has been devolved to Cork Educational and Training Board (CETB). The brief is for a new post primary school building to accommodate a long-term projected enrolment of 1000 pupils and 4 classroom special education needs base.
The project is currently at Stage 2b (post planning process) of the architectural process which allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents.
State agencies routinely engage in the planning and design stages of major school building projects, particularly where their statutory input forms part of the further information required under the planning process. CETB, as delivery body, have and will continue to engage directly with all relevant stakeholders including the school authority to keep them fully informed of all progress on this important project. The department remains committed to providing ongoing guidance and practical support to CETB in the delivery of this project
The department have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, the department have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.
These projects are in addition to €767.68 million in capital funding for Cork schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 157 Cork schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. Another 12 school projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 35 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme. There are currently 20 school projects in County Cork under construction.
The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027. Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.
The department recognises that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing.
The accommodation needs at the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
179. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for choosing schools that are not at tender or construction stage in placing them on priority list 2026/2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10978/26]
View answerMy department’s NDP Sectoral Investment Plan 2026-2030 involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The first tranche of 105 projects covers the initial two-year period of NDP rollout. The next tranche of projects will be finalised and published following a stakeholder engagement process to identify the next most urgent priorities. This stakeholder engagement will be undertaken in 2026 and 2027 and will include an assessment of how well existing capacity is maximised and enrolment policies and processes are prioritising local special education provision and mainstream requirements. The Department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
The criteria for identifying the first tranche of 105 prioritised projects to go to construction / tender in 2026 and 2027 included the condition of the school, projects in areas with capacity pressures, growing demographics and projects in the pipeline for a long time.
The 105 prioritised projects consist of 80 large-scale and ASA (additional school accommodation) projects along with 25 projects to be delivered under the Modular Accommodation Programme.
The 80 large-scale and ASA projects are estimated to cost just under €1.6bn.
Of the 80 projects,
• 45 projects that are already at tender stage (Stage 3)
• 35 projects that have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b).
Regarding the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3), these projects are being progressed on a rolling basis to ensure that the Department of Education continues to operate within NDP funding parameters. These projects include 19 new school buildings of which the majority are either special schools or primary/post-primary schools that are currently operating from interim accommodation and have an urgent need for permanent accommodation.
Regarding the 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b), these have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools. These projects include new school buildings for 12 schools – of which the majority of these schools are either special schools or primary/post-primary schools that currently are operating from interim accommodation and have an urgent need for permanent accommodation. It is envisaged that these projects will be progressed to tender over the course of 2026 and 2027 and within the context of NDP funding parameters.
The 25 modular projects primarily relate to additional SEN capacity for the 2026/27 school year. The number of modular projects is set to increase as further NCSE sanctions are issued. With over 260 SEN classes already approved for 2026/2027, additional projects will be prioritised to facilitate their opening through the Modular and SEN repurposing programmes.
180. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10999/26]
View answerThe permanent site for Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig, and Gaelscoil an Chaisleain at Lisheens, Ballincollig, has been acquired by Cork City Council by way of a Compulsory Purchase Order, on my behalf. The site remains in the possession of Cork City Council and legal ownership will be transferred in due course.
In the meantime, Cork City Council have agreed for the design of the school campus to proceed unabated, with their consent.
A joint major building project for the two schools is currently being delivered as part of the Departments Adapt 4 programme - Programme Innovate. This project is currently at the initial stages of architectural planning – Stage 1, where the Integrated Project Team (IPT) carry out a site and current building assessment and initial design sketch schemes are created. My Department has received the Stage 1 report and the State 1 meeting took place in late January 2026 between my Department, the IPT and school authorities. The meeting concluded with a request for the Design Team to submit a Stage 1 Addendum report addressing issues raised by the Department at the meeting.
181. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) has not been added to the list of 105 School Building Projects to progress to tender and/or construction, as appropriate, over the course of 2026 and 2027, considering they have been waiting over a decade for a new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11027/26]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Celbridge Campus project encompassing Scoil Naomh Padraig, St Raphael’s Special School and Celbridge Community School. This project has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a bundled school building programme (Project Shannon).
The brief for Scoil Naomh Padraig includes the provision of 24 mainstream classrooms and 4 Special Educational Needs classrooms.
The project is currently at Stage 2a of the architectural design process. Stage 2a (the developed design stage) involves the Design Team developing the designs, fully cost planning the campus project and preparing the necessary documentation to facilitate the lodging for statutory approval to Kildare County Council. The department are currently awaiting the submission of the Stage 2a report. A meeting between Department officials, the NDFA and the Land Development Agency (LDA) in relation to this campus project took place at the end of January. The NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep them fully informed of all progress on this important project.
As the Deputy will be aware, the department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.
These projects are in addition to €397.08 million in capital funding for Kildare schools between 2020 and 2025. Over that period, a total of 47 Kildare schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are also currently 9 school projects in Kildare under construction. Another 12?school?projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 5 schools?are approved to?undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total of 74 special classes have been opened in Kildare, 11 of which were sanctioned for September 2026.
The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027. Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.
The department recognises that there are schools with building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects. As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by my department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
The accommodation needs at the school referred to will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
182. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11085/26]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide a two classroom Special Education Needs Classrooms (SEN) base and two Special Education Tuition (SET) rooms. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.
The Stage 2a report was received by my department and is being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subject to the required due diligence specified in the Department's Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard there will be a strong special education dimension to project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes. Over the course of 2026 and 2027 there will be construction work at circa. 10% of the school estate. These projects will, when completed, provide circa 57,000 additional and modernised school places with a strong SEN focus in all projects.
My department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027.
The first tranche of 105 school building projects includes 80 large scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
Firstly, to facilitate the 45 projects that are currently already at tender stage (Stage 3) so that they can progress to construction as smoothly as possible over the course of 2026 and 2027. Secondly, to facilitate 35 projects that currently have planning permission and are at pre-tender stage (Stage 2b) and have been prioritised to meet urgent requirements from a special needs perspective or to provide additional capacity to cater for demographics or to address very significant condition issues at the schools.
I recognise that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, the department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the department on a case-by-case basis to determine the prioritised needs and approach for addressing same.
The accommodation needs at this school will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.
183. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11086/26]
View answerThe purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
In November 2025, my colleague the former Minister of Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works.
My Department can confirm an application was received from the school in question however the school was not on the list of approvals in the first tranche. Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be in the latter half of 2026.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link; [gov.ie Summer Works Scheme]
184. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11087/26]
View answerEnabling students with special educational needs to receive an education that meets their needs is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of students with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where students with more complex needs require additional supports, special class and special school places are provided. This is in keeping with policy on an inclusive education, which advocates that students will be supported to receive an education in the most inclusive setting possible.
My department and the NCSE continue to work closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the next school year 2026/2027. The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes last month, which is several months earlier than last year. 301 have been sanctioned to date and many more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of new classes provides clarity for parents and allows schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. The vast majority of new special classes being announced are being provided in available school accommodation which is being reconfigured as a special class. Each special class at primary level is allocated 1 teacher and 2 SNAs and at post-primary level, schools receive 1.5 teachers and 2 SNAs.
Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
Schools seeking to establish new special classes should continue to engage with the NCSE at local level. In sanctioning new special classes, the NCSE have due regard to the level of need in an area and the existing provision, including how many places are expected to be available through the normal movement of students from primary to post-primary or finishing school. Budget 2026 provides funding for over 400 new special classes.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
185. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the basic income for artists will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10653/26]
View answerI was delighted yesterday to announce that Cabinet has agreed on the broad parameters for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot. Applications will open for the new scheme in May with 2,000 places available for artists to receive a weekly payment of €325.
This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and also the positive benefits for society as a whole if we invest in our artists.
The focus of the successor scheme is to support professional Irish based artists whose creative practice is largely based in Ireland.
I can confirm that the BIA pilot scheme will end in February 2026, which is when the final pilot payment will be made to the current cohort of recipients. I will publish guidelines in the coming weeks setting out the detailed eligibility criteria for the new scheme. The broad parameters of the new scheme will be as follows:
- 2,000 artists will receive a payment of €325 per week.
- the payments will last for 3 years.
- participants of the pilot scheme can apply for the new scheme if they are eligible under the criteria of the new scheme.
I am grateful to my Government colleagues for their support for this ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland and recognising the importance of supporting artistic practice. This support makes Ireland a world-leader in how we support our artists and culture and will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.
186. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timeframe for his consideration of the proposed pension increase for former workers (details supplied); when he expects to receive and review the final recommendations; when a decision on the proposal will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10707/26]
View answerFurther to section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983, as amended, and section 10 of the eircom superannuation scheme rules, my Department last year received a request for a pension increase of 2.1% for Eir (formerly Eircom and Telecom Éireann) pensioners, in respect of both pre and post vesting day service, with effect from 01 July 2025.
My officials sought the advice of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) on this pension increase proposal, who have now submitted their report. My officials will shortly make a submission to me on the matter and I will carefully consider the NewERA recommendations before making any determination on whether to approve the request. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation will also be required for the pension increase in the event that I give my approval.
The process to consider pension increase requests in respect of the Eir superannuation scheme and in respect of pension schemes of commercial state bodies is a rigorous, multi-stage process requiring formal NewERA advice and consideration by both Ministers. Accordingly, it is not possible to set out a definite timeframe as to when a final decision will be made on the Eir pension increase request.
187. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 619 of 4 February 2026, the next steps required for the implementation of the pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10709/26]
View answer188. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when his Department plans to sign off on the pension increase for An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10798/26]
View answer189. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he will deal with the proposed pension increase outstanding for retired postal workers; if he will treat this matter urgently as it is causing hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10894/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188 and 189 together.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, namely, to increase pensions in payment for members and deferred members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 6% per annum with effect from 1st January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups.
In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA has provided advice to me on the request. On foot of that advice, I have given my consent to An Post's request. As required under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has now been sought.
It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, that the Code of Practice is complied with and the relevant legislation is adhered to.
190. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the basic income scheme for artists will open for applications in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10925/26]
View answerI was delighted yesterday to announce that Cabinet has agreed on the broad parameters for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot. Applications will open for the new scheme in May with 2,000 places available for artists to receive a weekly payment of €325.
This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and also the positive benefits for society as a whole if we invest in our artists.
The focus of the successor scheme is to support professional Irish based artists whose creative practice is largely based in Ireland.
I can confirm that the BIA pilot scheme will end in February 2026, which is when the final pilot payment will be made to the current cohort of recipients. I will publish guidelines in the coming weeks setting out the detailed eligibility criteria for the new scheme. The broad parameters of the new scheme will be as follows:
- 2,000 artists will receive a payment of €325 per week.
- the payments will last for 3 years.
- participants of the pilot scheme can apply for the new scheme if they are eligible under the criteria of the new scheme.
I am grateful to my Government colleagues for their support for this ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland and recognising the importance of supporting artistic practice. This support makes Ireland a world-leader in how we support our artists and culture and will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.
191. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to urgently consider (details supplied) and in view of the outstanding work the club has already done, to allow for funding through the LSSIF reserve fund to complete the changing rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11045/26]
View answerThe Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the 2018 National Sports Policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sport facility projects, typically those requiring investment greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).
The first allocations under LSSIF 2018 were announced in January 2020 with €86.4 million awarded to 33 different projects. Additional funding of €37.6 million was allocated to 27 of these projects in December 2023, bringing the total awarded under LSSIF 2018 to €124 million.
In 2024, the second round of the LSSIF attracted unprecedented demand, with 96 applications seeking a combined total of €665 million in funding, including an application on behalf of the referenced club. On 4 November 2024, grants amounting to €173 million were awarded to 35 projects; the club in question did not receive an allocation under this round.
The LSSIF is currently closed to applications and my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round but I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide.
192. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will take into consideration the exceptionally wet weather and extend the burning season by a month, similar to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10991/26]
View answerThe dates for burning are set down in primary legislation. Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976 prohibits the burning of vegetation from 1 March to 31 August.
As the dates are set out in primary legislation, I have no power or discretion to vary these dates. The season may only be varied by primary legislation enacted by the Oireachtas.
193. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of engineers currently employed by local authorities who have become ineligible for promotion or career progression under revised eligibility criteria, despite having previously been eligible to progress under earlier arrangements; whether his Department was consulted in advance of these revised criteria being introduced across local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11282/26]
View answer194. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Government will review or issue guidance on qualification recognition, and eligibility criteria to ensure consistency, fairness, and the retention of skilled engineers within local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11283/26]
View answer211. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he accepts that, given his Department does not collect or hold data on the qualifications of serving local authority engineers, no quantified assessment was carried out prior to July 2025 to determine how many existing engineers-whose qualifications had been assessed and accepted at the time of appointment-would lose eligibility for promotion as a result of the revised engineering qualification requirements; whether responsibility for assessing this impact was assigned to any body as part of the Working Group's review; how the Working Group could credibly "have regard" to the position of existing staff in the absence of such data; whether he accepts that introducing national qualification standards without assessing their impact on serving staff represents a failure of workforce planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10960/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193, 194 and 211 together.
I refer to my reply to Question No. 712 of 10 February 2026 which sets out the position in this matter.
