Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the plans to build SET classrooms during the summer holidays (details supplied). [32710/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The School to which the Deputy refers was approved funding under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing two special education tuition rooms. The project is devolved for delivery to the school authority.

The Stage 2b (developed design) report was received by my Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Department's infrastructure guidelines.

Upon completion of this review process my Department officials will communicate with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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461. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address serious and ongoing health and safety issues with a prefab unit at a school which is used as accommodation for a special class (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32731/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my department has approved funding for the school in question for 2 special education classrooms, central activities space and sensory garden under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. This project is currently at Stage 1 (preliminary design) of the architectural planning process.

My department is not in receipt of an application in relation to the prefab unit or an engineer’s report referenced in relation to this school. My Department will consider this report once it has been received.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan (NDP), involving the completion of over 1,375 school building projects.? Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities.? A recent Government decision has approved €210m supplementary capital funding for my department to support the provision of special education accommodation and meet school place needs.? This brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6bn.

As part of the NDP Review process, all departments, including my department, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with respect to NDP allocations for the period 2026-2030.? It is expected that there will be clarity on these allocations over the course of the summer period, and this will allow my department to plan its capital investment programme for the 2026 to 2030 period in line with prioritised needs and reflecting, as appropriate, wider Government priorities. Maximising existing capacity in schools to meet needs is very important.? The progression of prioritised individual projects to meet the most urgent needs in the 2026 to 2030 period that cannot be met through existing capacity across schools in the local area will be considered on a rolling basis from Autumn onwards after the NDP allocations are finalised

The purpose of the Department’s Additional School Accommodation (or ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom accommodation and accommodation for pupils with special education needs 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.

While my department does not provide temporary accommodation in the form of prefabricated structures, it is an option for the school to source suitable interim accommodation to rent in the locality and submit an application to the Department for review. My officials remain available to work with the school authorities throughout this process.