Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
388. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the application by a school (details supplied) in relation to urgent repairs needed for the roof of their PE hall; the actions she will take to ensure that it is progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32413/26]
View answer389. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the support mechanisms in place to ensure that repairs are urgently carried out on the roof of a PE hall for a school (details supplied) [32414/26]
View answer399. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the planned upgrade for a school (details supplied); the actions she will take to progress this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32484/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 388, 389 and 399 together.
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide a 2 Classroom SEN base, 1 General Classroom, 1 Science Lab/Prep area and replacement of roof in sports hall.
A Stage 2a report (detailed design) was submitted to my department and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence as outlined in the Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Regarding the roof repair works, a meeting is due to take place in the coming period to consider the sports hall. Further engagement with the school will follow as appropriate.
As the deputy is aware my Department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, my department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
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.
