Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
34. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the status of the capital project at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28744/26]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter my Department's pipeline for school building projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide one Music room, one Construction room with prep area, and one Home Economics room, The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
A Stage 2b (post planning) report was received in July 2025 which is currently under review from a technical and cost perspective. All school building projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to ensuring that the overall school building programme remains within the funding parameters.
My department has a strong track record of delivering the Government’s School Building Programme with over €6 billion invested since 2020.
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 sets out my department’s approach to prioritised investment in school infrastructure. There is a strong focus in the plan on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision.
The project at the school in question forms part of this overall pipeline of school building projects that will continue to be managed in line with available NDP funding.
