Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
112. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) was excluded from the latest school capital funding allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11026/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.
In the first instance, I acknowledge the disappointment felt by the school community at St. Eunan’s College that their project was not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects that I recently published alongside my Department’s NDP Sectoral Investment Plan.
In determining the first tranche of projects to proceed to tender or construction over 2026 and 2027, my department was required to work within the parameters of available NDP funding.
Of the 80 large-scale and ASA projects prioritised to proceed, 45 projects were already at tender stage.
35 prioritised projects are at Stage 2b, of which 14 are large-scale projects. Of the 14 large-scale projects at Stage 2b which were prioritised to progress to tender, 4 are special schools. 3 of the others are in interim accommodation pending delivery of their permanent school. All of the mainstream schools are in areas of significant demographic pressure and most additionally had significant condition issues in their existing accommodation.
St. Eunan's College has a large-scale extension and refurbishment project at Stage 2b and is one of a cohort of projects which unfortunately could not be facilitated at this time to progress to tender over 2026 and 2027 within the parameters of our NDP funding.
I am conscious that the planning permission for the project at St. Eunan's College will expire next year and my Department will work with the school authorities to identify an appropriate pathway forward. This will also include addressing any urgent interim works that may be required pending delivery of the large-scale project.
I can assure the Deputy and school community that this project at St. Eunan's College will be considered as part of the next prioritisation process to inform the next tranche of projects to progress to tender.
