Niamh Smyth
Question:484. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16879/26]
View answerTuesday, 3 March 2026
Questions (484)
Written answers
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide for three classrooms, one to replace the existing Moderate General Learning Difficulty (GLD) classroom and two additional Mild GLD classrooms, along with the associated ancillary accommodation.
A Stage 1 submission was received in September 2025 and is currently undergoing a comprehensive technical and cost review. All projects, including this one, are subject to the full due-diligence requirements set out in my Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
With regard to an additional third classroom, 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.
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.