Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1420. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the status of an extension for a school (details supplied); the estimated timeframe for this project from construction to completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58902/26]
View answerThe Major Project for the school referred to by the Deputy consists of the demolition of the existing Senior school and the Construction of a new 12 Mainstream Classroom Primary school with 2 classrooms for children with Special Educational Needs on the Senior school's existing site. There are 6 Classrooms currently in the Junior school which are to be retained
The project is currently at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
All Statutory Approvals have been secured, and the Stage 2(b) Submission has been received and reviewed by my Department. As part of that review, comments have issued from the Department to the Design Team for their consideration and action.
The Design Team are required to confirm to the Department in writing that they have addressed the comments issued and are fully satisfied that their tender documents are in order, and meet all Department Guidance Documents, Building Regulation and procurement requirements.
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.
