Schools Building Projects

Thursday, 12 February 2026

Ceisteanna (108)

Malcolm Byrne

Ceist:

108. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the planned school building project at a school [10462/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Youth

The project referred to by the Deputy is devolved for delivery to Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board and will provide extended and refurbished accommodation for the school in question. This project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process.

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This is in addition to the over €6 billion invested in school across the country since 2020, including €174.6 million in capital funding provided to schools in Wexford.

Of the €7.55 billion NDP investment, it is envisaged circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support delivery and modernisation of school buildings. In this regard, I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. These projects were prioritised with a strong focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs particularly to support special education needs provision. ?

I recognise that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects. A department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027, involving engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools. This 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.

My department will be working closely with WWETB as part of this overall prioritisation process, including with regard to the school in question.