Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
85. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which school building projects will be selected for the next Education Sectoral NDP Implementation Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54101/26]
View answerThe Department continues to progress prioritised school building projects through the design pipeline. Current prioritisation focuses on special schools; schools operating fully in interim accommodation with an urgent need for permanent provision; projects delivering significant additional special education capacity; accommodation required to meet demographic growth; and projects addressing the most serious condition issues.
An initial tranche of 105 prioritised projects to proceed to tender and/or construction in 2026 and 2027 was published as part of the NDP sectoral implementation plan last January. As part of the Department’s ongoing prioritisation process, which will continue throughout 2026 and 2027, consultation with school patrons and management bodies commenced through meetings held in June. Stakeholders were appraised of the overall approach to prioritisation and provided with relevant information regarding schools and projects, with an opportunity for any relevant feedback over the course of the coming months. This continued engagement will inform the identification of further tranches of projects to advance to tender and construction over the NDP period.
The Department is targeting 2027 for the publication of the next tranche of priority projects to proceed to tender. This will be informed by departmental analysis, patron and school engagement, available funding parameters, and—where relevant—the findings of the Department’s energy and condition inventory of the school estate, which is scheduled for completion by year-end. Projects must also have reached an appropriate stage of readiness.
In addition, some further priority small scale extensions to meet annual September needs will continue to be advanced, with a particular focus on special education needs provision, subject to affordability within annual funding allocations.
Where appropriate, the Department will also consider undertaking advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex large-scale projects to support a smooth transition to construction in 2028 and subsequent years.
Interim accommodation requirements identified by schools will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate and prioritised response.
