Séamus McGrath
Ceist:537. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the proposed building extension for a school (details supplied). [33985/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 May 2026
Ceisteanna (537)
Freagraí scríofa
The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department's pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide one multimedia room, one textiles room, one graphics room, one construction studies room, one technology preparation room, one project store and one science lab and preparation area. The inclusion of a PE Hall or GP/Dining Hall depends on site feasibility, constraints and input from the Local Authority and Heritage Officer. This project has been devolved to Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) for delivery.
The Stage 1 (early design) report outlining the proposed design and costings was submitted to my Department in July 2025. This is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program. Once the review is completed, the outcome will be communicated to Cork Education and Training Board. Cork Education and Training Board will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.
My department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for all school pupils and will, in the wider context outlined, ensure that each school project on the school building programme is subject to the due diligence required under the Public Infrastructure Guidelines.
As the deputy is aware my Department recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.
Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding. Where appropriate, my department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.
The accommodation needs at this school will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.