Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
159. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for when modular accommodation will be delivered in a school (details supplied), given the ongoing emergency works issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11004/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major project for the school referred to by the deputy is part of a campus project that has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a bundled school building programme. There are three schools within this campus project including this school.
The brief for the school includes the provision of 24 mainstream classrooms and 4 SEN classrooms. The project is currently at Stage 2a of the architectural design process. Stage 2a (the developed design stage) involves the Design Team developing the designs, fully cost planning the campus project and preparing the necessary documentation to facilitate the lodging for statutory approval to the county council as part of the Stage 2b process.
The length of time a project takes to deliver depends on several factors, including scale and complexity and is subject to the time it takes to progress through the various design stages and the statutory approval process. However, the NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep them fully informed of progress on this important project.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.
With regards to the school in question, while some applications were submitted these were not finalised as the EWS team was awaiting further information but due to the condition of the interim buildings the Department engaged a Project Manager to attend the school and they are managing the works in the school at present.
These works include some roof repairs, drainage works and mechanical/electrical works. The project manager is keeping the school up to date on the works. My Department has also engaged with the school with regard to their interim accommodation needs and in this regard two additional interim classrooms were provided to the school recently.
