Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
363. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the proposed accommodation project for a school (details supplied) under the Department's school building programme; and the stage at which the project currently sits within the capital appraisal process. [32263/26]
View answer364. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reasons the proposed accommodation project for a school (details supplied) has not progressed to Stage 1B of the Department's capital approvals process, notwithstanding that an application was initially submitted in January 2020 and updated documentation was provided in August 2025. [32264/26]
View answer365. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the expected timeline for the progression of a school (details supplied) accommodation project to Stage 1B; and whether a specific timeframe has been assigned within the Department. [32265/26]
View answer366. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used to prioritise school building projects for advancement within the capital programme; and how a school (details supplied) project ranks against those criteria. [32266/26]
View answer367. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration has been given to advancing a school (details supplied) accommodation project through a combined Stage 2A/2B process in light of the length of time elapsed since initial application; and if not, the reasons for same. [32267/26]
View answer368. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether funding has been provisionally allocated for a school (detail supplied) accommodation project within the current or forthcoming capital budgets; and the quantum of such funding, if applicable. [32268/26]
View answer369. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the extent of engagement between her Department and the management authorities of a school (detail supplied) since January 2020 in relation to the proposed accommodation project; and the dates and outcomes of such engagements. [32269/26]
View answer370. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the accommodation needs of a school (details supplied) have been formally assessed by the Department; and if so, the findings of that assessment and the date on which it was completed. [32270/26]
View answer371. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a school (detail supplied) accommodation project is currently included in the Department's published school building pipeline; and if so, the projected delivery timeframe associated with the project. [32271/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370 and 371 together.
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department's pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide one Multimedia room, one Textiles rooms, one Graphics room, one Construction Studies room, one Technology preparation room, one Project store and one Science lab and preparation area. The inclusion of a PE Hall or GP/Dining Hall depends on site feasibility, constraints and input from the Local Authority and Heritage Officer. This project has been devolved to Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) for delivery.
The Stage 1 (early design) report outlining the proposed design and costings was submitted to my Department in July 2025. This is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. Once the review is completed, the outcome will be communicated to Cork Education and Training Board. Cork Education and Training Board will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.
My department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for all school pupils and will, in the wider context outlined, ensure that each school project on the school building programme is subject to the due diligence required under the Public Infrastructure Guidelines.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department recently published the €7.55 billion National Development Plan (NDP) Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. The prioritisation of projects included in this plan focused on facilitating those projects already at Stage 3 to proceed to construction as smoothly as possible during 2026 and 2027.
In addition, the prioritisation of projects at Stage 2b focused on those which had secured planning permission and were therefore at an appropriate stage of readiness to progress to tender. Within this cohort, special school projects were afforded the highest priority. For all other schools, a multi-faceted qualitative assessment of relative priority was applied. This assessment took account of a range of factors, including the availability of permanent accommodation, demographic pressures both at school and area level, special education capacity being provided, the extent to which schools are prioritising local school place needs, any significant condition issues at the school, interim accommodation constraints, and the duration of the project to date.
The project at this school is currently at an early design stage and was therefore not sufficiently advanced to be included in the first tranche of projects progressing to construction over 2026 and 2027. Its progression to Stage 2b, including the lodging of a planning application, will continue to be considered as part of the Department’s overall programme prioritisation in the context of available NDP funding.
A department-led prioritisation process will continue throughout 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will inform subsequent tranches of project rollout to tender. In this context, the Department’s Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which is due to be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base to support the assessment of priorities.
Any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis, with a view to determining the most appropriate and prioritised response.
The project has not been provisionally allocated funding within the current capital budget or the forward capital programme at this time. When the project advances through the relevant stages of the Department’s capital approvals process, it will be considered for funding within the appropriate year’s capital envelope under the NDP.
