Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Senator Joe O'Reilly for allowing me to outline the Department of Education's position to the House. As the Senator will be aware, St. Aidan's Comprehensive School is currently advancing an additional school accommodation project which is delivering additional specialist classroom and ancillary accommodation. This project is currently at design stage, stage 2(b).

As I stated, under Project Ireland 2040 there will be capital investment of €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025. The current priority for the Department is, in general terms, the provision of additional school capacity, including accommodation for students with special needs. Future investment will include a strengthened focus on modernisation of school accommodation, including in the area of PE provision.

I note the points the Senator has raised. There is an application before the Department from St. Aidan's Comprehensive School seeking funding for a new PE hall and social spaces for students. I suspect that will get the due consideration it deserves.

I will personally take up the matter with the Minister for Education on the Senator's behalf. I understand the Senator's commitment to it. He highlighted what he knows to be a major capacity issue on the ground.