Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a building project at a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage as soon as possible in view of the need for this additional accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9847/25]

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 for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.

The project will provide 2 science laboratories and preparation area, 1 home economics room, 1 music room, 1 textiles room and a 2 classroom Special Education Needs (SEN) base.

The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.

I can confirm that the project is currently at Stage 1 and my department is awaiting a submission of Stage 1 design report from the school authority for review. In the most recent update from the school authority in Q4 of 2024, my department was informed that Stage 1 submission will be completed upon incorporation of site investigation survey results.

Once this is received, it will be evaluated from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.

The timeframe for the construction of the project will not be known until the design stages have been completed and planning permission has been secured.

It is now a matter for the school authority to progress this project to the next stage and my department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance.