Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
628. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently consider a request from a school regarding building works (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12023/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that approval was given to the school in question for the delivery of 4 Mainstream classrooms, 3 Special education tuition rooms, 2 Special education classrooms, 1 UAWC by traditional build with repurposing to create 1 Special education classroom. This project has been devolved to the school authorities for delivery.
The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school's existing accommodation.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. In this regard, there will be a strong special education dimension to the project rollout.
I have published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. This includes the project at Lucan BNS.
In relation to the modular project, I can assure the Deputy that department officials have worked closely with the school authorities in relation to the school's application for Additional School Accommodation and will continue to do so.
