Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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411. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the application for a new building for a school (details supplied; for an update on when a new school building will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37367/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for delivering a major project for the school in question has been devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB). The Department of Education originally approved the construction of a standalone extension of just over 4,000m2 in area to include a 2-classroom Special Education needs base. Some works to the existing building were also included in this approval.

A number of significant issues have unfortunately arisen, including delays in obtaining statutory consents from the local authority and delays to the finalisation of the detailed design process for the project as it was originally approved. The project was brought to Stage 2b of the architectural process. However, at that point it was agreed between DDLETB and the department to proceed with an alternative proposal for the progression of the project as set out by DDLETB. This alternative involves the demolition and replacement of the existing building but also allows the provision of accommodation for another school on the site.

Based on a report provided by DDLETB, it was agreed following meetings between the department and DDLETB, that the project should be redesigned on that basis. My department undertook a Feasibility Study for a shared education campus and options in this study have been examined by my Department and the school patron, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). In this context, my department are currently progressing the technical analysis of how best to address the long-term requirements of the local school community on this site.

As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible to give a time frame for the delivery of the accommodation. However, the department has, and will continue to work closely with the school authority and DDLETB.

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.