Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I will bring that back to the Minister on the Deputy's behalf. I know there were delays with this relating to a change to increase the number of classrooms, as well as proposals by the local authority to alter the road layout and access. This necessitated a new planning application, as I am sure the Deputy is well aware. The final grant of that planning permission for the project, as currently designed, was received from the local authority in September 2023.

Under Project 2040, the Department of Education and Youth is investing well in excess of €5 billion during this period to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities. The Department of Education and Youth has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects and this was again seen in 2023, notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment. Since 2020, the Department has invested in the region of €5.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of more than 1,350 school building projects. The Department continues to support the delivery of extensive schools infrastructure programme which incorporates best practice.

I again thank Deputy Kerrane for raising the question and for giving me the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee, to reassure her that the Department is conscious of the need to continue to support the operation of the school system and intends to provide clarity for individual schools mentioned by the Deputy and its school building project as quickly as possible.

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