Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19996/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project for the school referred to by the Deputy when complete will provide a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school building and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the permanent site for the school. The decision to grant planning permission for the permanent school was received from An Bord Pleanála on 25th October 2023.

Projects are subject to relevant due diligence by the Department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters. In late March, following a review of National Development Plan allocations, the Government approved medium term capital allocations for the Department of Education for the period to 2026. The Department’s Planning and Building Unit is now reviewing its programme plans in the context of those recently confirmed allocations, which includes the project referred to by the Deputy.

In reference to the interim accommodation, my Department will endeavour to ensure that the specialist rooms are being prioritised for September 2024.

My Department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to interim accommodation pending delivery of the permanent school and to provide any updates in relation to progress on the school building project.