Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
460. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of buildings leased by her Department, or bodies or agencies under its aegis, during 2025; the total cumulative sum paid under these leases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14017/26]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth does not directly lease school buildings in the vast majority of such contracts funded by the department. In most cases, the department funds school authorities to enter into lease arrangement for the use of traditional buildings in respect of interim school accommodation needs.
The majority of schools based in leased buildings are already part of the pipeline of projects under the school building programme. In 2025, the department funded €8.06 million for 165 rented contracts entered into by school authorities for such buildings. This excludes lease arrangements for modular units.
