Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for classroom extensions for autism classrooms in a school (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52696/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The school referred by the deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for a project providing 2 SEN Base classrooms and 1 SET room. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I can confirm that a Stage 1 report was returned to my department. Following a period of communication and clarification on the initial report, a request for a revised report was required which has now been submitted. This report is currently being reviewed 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.

Furthermore, as part of the National Development Plan (NDP) allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special education needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.

My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.

The NDP implementation plan will be considered as part of the ongoing review of this school building project. Once the NDP implantation plan is finished my department will be in a position to inform the school of the outcome regarding the progression of this project.