Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a scheme will open this year for schools to apply for funding to replace equipment in practical rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4023/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The furniture and equipment (F and E) area within my Department deals with the provision of furniture and equipment across a number of different streams including the replacement of specialist F and E, to which the issue the deputy has raised refers.

As part of the planning for the provision of F and E generally, there has to be a balance between the volume of demand, and the ability of my Department to provide funding to meet this demand. As part of business planning the F and E area identifies the main pressure points within the area and allocates resources accordingly.

The provision of specialist equipment has been identified as a key area for focus in 2025 and it is anticipated that the area will focus on the progression of applications on hand. It is open to all school to make an application under this scheme to the F and E area by emailing furnitureequipment@education.gov.ie.