Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
580. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a value for money audit has been carried out in relation to the overall cost of installing two modular ASD classes for a school (details supplied) and refurbishing the older classroom at the same time, versus subsequently funding an upgrade of the existing modular building at a later stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15013/26]
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 schools existing accommodation.
As the Deputy is aware my department is also engaging with the school authority in relation to progressing modular accommodation at the school in question and my officials are engaging with the school authorities on an ongoing basis in relation to this matter. It is important to note that the traditional build project approved here includes replacement of the classroom being referred to by the Deputy.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of almost 1,400 school building projects. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom 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 project rollout.
Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the Large Scale, Additional Accommodation, Modular, and Annual September Accommodation Needs programmes.
I can assure the Deputy that my officials will continue to engage with the school authorities in question in relation to accommodation matters at this school.
