Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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993. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that her Department reengages with a school (details supplied) on the status of the temporary accommodation due to be provided at that location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20582/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy, that my department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school authority in question.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school's existing accommodation or at other schools in the area.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,350 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 €1.50 billion.

Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 610,000 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 Programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the NDP process.

I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school's application is still under consideration by my officials and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as the assessment process has been completed. I can also confirm that my officials have been engaging with the patron in relation to this matter.