James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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578. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on an application by a school for emergency works (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10971/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for life safety system works.

The application in question is currently being reviewed by the technical area within the EWS. Once a technical recommendation has been received back from the technical team, the EWS team will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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579. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on progress in fulfilling the commitment made by the previous Government to build a replacement of a school (details supplied) which is 50 years old this year; to outline where the project is at present; the reason for the delay in commencing works; and if she will commit to a timeline for completion. [10973/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Since 2020, my Department has invested over €5.7 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,150 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.3bn.

Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.

This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.

The school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will provide a new 1000 pupil post primary school and accommodation, including 6 classrooms, for children with special educational needs.

It is intended that the project will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT Programme which uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Integrated Project Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning, to Tender and Construction.

The ADAPT 4 Programme will be led by Integrated Project Teams (IPT’s), consisting of highly skilled and experienced design professionals, architects, engineers, project managers, quantity surveyors and various other consultants to deliver the projects. AECOM as the Programme Manager are overseeing the procurement and appointment of the IPT’s. It is anticipated that the IPT's for the tranche of projects including the project referred to by the Deputy will be appointed later this year.

It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.

My Department will keep the schools and patron body informed of the progression of this project.