Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide details, by reference to building works of autism units and special schools scheduled for completion between June 2025 to September 2025, if these works are on schedule to be completed by September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8953/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My department is providing significant additional capacity at special schools across the country, with 80 building projects at special schools at various stages of planning and delivery. This represents capital investment at over 50% of all special schools. These projects will provide almost 750 additional and modernised classrooms for children with special education needs. Construction is currently underway at 15 schools, with a total project value in excess of €155m. This includes new buildings for existing special schools in areas such as Mullingar, Stillorgan, Galway City, Portlaoise, Newbridge, Letterkenny and Loughlinstown. My department will continue to prioritise the delivery of building projects at special schools as part of the rollout of its school building programme.

My Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) reviewed the forward planning for special education needs (SEN) and highlighted the urgent need for additional SEN special classes. In order to respond to this need at pace, my Department is progressing urgent building projects that involve the repurposing of existing space in schools for SEN purposes. These projects will ensure that existing school capacity is optimised and that teaching spaces are adaptable and flexible to facilitate a student-centred approach to learning. Potential repurposing options will be school and site specific, presenting different opportunities and challenges. To support the delivery of these classes in good time for the 2025/26 school year a new streamlined approach to funding is available to repurpose accommodation for SEN. A SEN Start Up grant of €30,000 for each new SEN classroom sanctioned and opened for the 2025/26 school year will be payable to the school directly following receipt of NCSE notification of sanctioned classes. My department has commenced issuing the first tranche of these payments to schools. Additional funding for small scale repurposing works up to a maximum of €70,000 per class is also available to schools on an application basis. Further information on SEN repurposing supports can be accessed on www.gov.ie.

In reference to building works at special schools and for special classes to provide additional capacity for the 2025/26 school year, my department will continue to prioritise the delivery of these projects as part of the rollout of the school building programme. My department is working closely with the NCSE and with schools to ensure that the required provision is in place, and to contingency plan in mitigation of any risks of delay.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8954/25]

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 8 General Classrooms, 4 Special Education Tuition rooms, 1 Music room, 1 Textiles room, 1 Art Room, 1 Project store, 1 Multimedia room, 2 Science laboratories and a Preparation area, 1 Library and a General Purpose/ Dining Hall.

I can confirm that the project received my Department’s approval to Stage 2b in Q2 of 2024 and my department has been informed that planning permission was granted in January 2025.

It is now within the remit of the school authority to progress this project accordingly. A Stage 2b report must be submitted for review outlining the detailed design drawings which must incorporate any conditions arising from planning along with an updated cost plan.

Once the Stage 2b report is submitted and reviewed my department will engage with the school authority to progress this important project to the tender stage.