James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of a school (details supplied) which requires an urgent extension; if she is aware that the school is seeking a two-storey build as per plans submitted but were refused by her Department despite a school in a similar position within the county being granted approval for a two-storey extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23234/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred by the Deputy has been approved to enter the Department's pipeline for school building projects, to provide one mainstream classroom and one special education teaching (SET) room under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.A Stage 1/2a report was submitted and reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the public Infrastructure Guidelines. The Deputy will appreciate that all projects, including this one, undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Furthermore, managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall programme.The stage report submitted sought to expand the project which proposed a two-story building adding significant extra scope and costs to the initial brief. Following the initial review, comments were issued requesting the school to reconsider the layout as the Department preferred a single-story option and recommending design improvements to the layout.

The school submitted an appeal on this matter, prompting a reassessment by my Department technical team. After review, it was confirmed that my Departments initial recommendations remained. It is now the school’s responsibility along with their design team to proceed with the project in line with the original scope and recommendations.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school building project in Cavan will proceed to the next stage (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23235/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings projects to provide the following accommodation: 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 preparation area, 1 library and a general purpose dining hall.

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

I can confirm that the project is currently at Stage 2b, and my department has been informed planning permission had been 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.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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333. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the proposed building project in Leitrim (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23236/25]

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 for the provision of 11 general classrooms, 3 SET rooms, 1 multimedia room, 1 textiles room, 1 science lab and prep area, 2 classroom SEN base and the removal of 3 prefabs. An additional SEN base was added to the project a few months after the initial approval was granted.

The project is devolved to Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) for delivery.

This project is currently at Stage 1 pending the submission of a Stage 1 report, and will be required to go through further stages and assessment for planning and tendering prior to the project being approved to construction.

Each of these steps require a significant amount of time, but are crucial to maintain our commitment to excellence and to deliver the best possible outcome for this project. It is currently not possible at this early stage to give the Deputy a timeframe as to when this school project will go to construction.