Emer Currie
Ceist:89. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress of a new school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 23 April 2026
Ceisteanna (89)
Freagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my department is not in receipt of an application from the school in question for a new school building.
It is open to the school authority to a make an application for additional accommodation through the 'Additional School Accommodation scheme (ASA)', details of which are available at www.gov.ie.
Applications for capital investment under this scheme will be assessed in the context of the school's accommodation requirements and available accommodation capacity across schools in the area.
In line with the NDP Sectoral Plan, capital investment will be targeted and priortised to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs, focusing on maximising the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance.
The school to which the deputy refers was granted capital funding for the provision of two special educational needs classroom under my department’s SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation Programme.
The programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.
KSN had been appointed from my department’s Framework, to design and tender the project at the school in question. This is a collaborative process between the Project Manager, School Authority and the department. KSN are currently preparing a design pack to submit to my department, that when approved will enable works to commence as soon as possible.
My department is fully aware of the urgency in respect of this accommodation and will be working closely with the Project Managers and School Authority and will communicate with the school authorities regarding project progression and timelines.