John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will expedite a phase two meeting with her Department and key stakeholders on the development of an extension to a school (details supplied), which includes very much sought after special education accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4031/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide 7 General Classrooms, 5 SET rooms, 2 Art rooms/2 Project stores, 1 Music room, 1 Multimedia room, 1 Textiles room and 2 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base. In addition, approval has been granted for two general classrooms under the department's Modular Framework.

The project was devolved for delivery to Cork Educational and Training Board and my department received the initial architectural design report (stage 1) in Q3 2024, which is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the public Infrastructure Guidelines.

The Deputy will appreciate that all projects, including this one, undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines. Furthermore, managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall programme.

Once this review is complete, my department will be in touch with the delivery body on how best to progress this important project.