Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
246. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the additional accommodation scheme project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49536/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing 1 SET Room (prefab replacement), 1 SEN classroom and 1 Central Activities Space. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
I can confirm that the Stage 2b (post planning) report was submitted to my Department and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Department's infrastructure guidelines.
Furthermore, as part of the National Development Plan (NDP) allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the Autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
The NDP implementation plan will be considered as part of the ongoing review of this school building project. Once the NDP implementation plan is finalised my Department will be in a position to inform the school of the outcome regarding the progression of this project.
