Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a school building project; if she will respond to associated correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22800/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that my Department was in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question.

The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation (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.

In 2022 the school in question applied for capital funding under the ASA scheme and in June 2022 a brief for additional accommodation was agreed with the school. The brief consisted of 2 Science labs & prep area, 1 Home Economics room,1 Textiles room, 1 Music Room and a 2 classroom SEN base, and ancillary

The requirement for the SEN classrooms was approved in consultation with the National Council for Special Education. The project was subsequently handed over to the department's delivery team who have been liaising with the school authority in relation to the delivery of the project.

The project is currently at Stage 1 of architectural design and my department received a Stage 1 report in April 2025. This report is currently being reviewed 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.

My department will make every effort to review Stage 1 report in a timely manner. Upon completion of this review process my department officials will communicate with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project.