Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1418. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the status of a school building project (details supplied); when the project will move to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58900/26]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - State 2(b) - Detailed Design, where the Design Team secure all statutory applications and prepare the tender documents.
The Board of Management and their Design Team lodged the application for planning permission in September 2023, and received a request for further information (RFI) in October 2023 from the Local Authority (LA).
The Design Team issued their response to that RFI in February 2024, and the LA issued the initial grant of planning permission in March 2024.
However, there was a third-party objection to planning permission, and the decision was referred to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The Design Team secured the grant of planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála in October 2024, and are currently working on completion of their report, for submission to my Department.
I would like to advise the Deputy, since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €289.03 million in capital funding for Wicklow schools. Over this period, a total of 45 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. 3 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan.
There are currently 9 school projects in Wicklow under construction. This summer, 6 schools are approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.
In addition, since 2020 a total of 79 special classes have been sanctioned in Wicklow, of which 16 were sanctioned for September 2026.
