Schools Building Projects

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Ceisteanna (414)

Paula Butterly

Ceist:

414. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps her Department will take to address ongoing delays and inaccuracies in the assessment of a school building project (details supplied) ; noting that despite the submission of the Stage A Report in November 2022 and further documentation in 2023, feedback has contained errors, and that the school urgently requires a displaced classroom, an expanded staffroom to accommodate significant staff growth, and an accessible WC to meet mobility and care needs; and if she will outline how this project can be progressed as the school moves to developing school status. [16322/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Youth

The 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 one mainstream classroom plus conversion of a mainstream classroom to provide a second SEN base, along with associated ancillary accommodation.

A Stage 2a submission has been received from the school and reviewed by our professional and technical team. Following this review, it was identified that further work is required for the submission to meet departmental standards and align with previously issued recommendations. My department has urged the school's design team to rectify the identified issues, as the project cannot advance until the new submission meets departmental standard. We have therefore requested that the school provide a revised proposal addressing the outstanding matters.

Once the revised report is submitted, it will undergo evaluation from both technical and cost perspectives. All projects, including this one, are subject to the full due-diligence requirements set out in my Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.