Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
22. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when the school can proceed to the next phase given it is a DEIS 1 school and is in urgent need of upgrade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn extension project at the school to which the Deputy refers has been approved to enter my Department’s pipeline of projects to provide four mainstream classrooms, eight special education tuition rooms and a four class-room special education needs base. It has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
In early June, department officials contacted the school to advise that its project remains under review in the context of NDP parameters and the overall prioritisation of capital investment.
The project is currently at Stage 2a (Preliminary Design). Following the assessment of the Stage 2a report, a revised report was requested in April 2025 and subsequently submitted in August 2025. This report is currently being reviewed from a technical and cost perspective. All school building projects, including this one, must undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to ensuring that the overall school building programme remains within the funding parameters.
As with all school building projects, this project will be considered within the context of overall programme prioritisation and NDP funding parameters. My Department’s NDP Sectoral Investment Plan sets out my department’s focus on maximising existing capacity and prioritising project rollout to meet the most urgent needs, particularly to support special education needs provision. This targeted project rollout will build on significant capital investment across the school estate in recent years, including over €796.58 million in capital funding for Cork schools since 2020.
Project prioritisation is being informed by department analysis, engagement with patrons and schools, funding parameters and, where relevant, the department’s energy and condition inventory of the school estate which is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
The Department will continue to engage with this school as the review process progresses.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a roof replacement and insulation project has been approved for the school under the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme and this is currently at tender stage.
