Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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435. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of carrying out a review of all science labs in the country to ensure they are up to date and capable of performing well in exams. [37753/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The survey and associated cost of reviewing the condition of the current school estate including accommodation for science laboratories will be considered in the context of the outcome of the ongoing Energy and Condition survey on schools and my Department's NDP allocation.

The Department can identify opportunities to transform existing schools and the plan for a future wider rollout in this regard will be informed by the outcome of an Energy and Condition survey of all schools which is currently underway and due for completion by mid-2026. The subsequent analysis of this significant amount of data will take some time but will help determine priorities going forward in relation to retrofit and refurbishment projects. The process may ultimately identify a requirement for the replacement of some accommodation, but this is not expected to be widespread.

My Department provides science labs with the construction of all new post-primary schools respectively, for example, 6 science laboratories plus 3 preparation areas for a 1,000 pupil post-primary school. These facilities may also be provided where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. Since 2020, my Department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, 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 which brings the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6billion.

The Deputy may be aware that I recently announced details in respect of the Summer Works Scheme 2026 onwards. The purpose of this scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The scheme will operate on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories including the upgrade of science laboratories.

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.