Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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417. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on plans for a new school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37439/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning – Stage 2(b) Detailed Design, where the Design Team have secured all statutory applications and are preparing the suite of tender documents.

The brief for the project is to provide a new 16 classroom primary school with an additional classrooms for pupils with special educational needs.

The Stage 2(b) Submission has been received in my Department for review by the multi-disciplinary team, which is currently underway.

On completion of Stage 2(b) design, a meeting of all stakeholders will be organised and my Department will advise the School Authorities and their Design Team of the progression of the project, including comments for the Design Teams attention regarding the stage submission report.

As part of the NDP Review process, all departments, including my department, are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation 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.

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.