Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the three secondary schools in west Wicklow (details supplied), which are awaiting building projects to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59747/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The current status of the 3 secondary school projects referred to by the Deputy is as follows:

The Blessington Community College project has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).

The Project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural design process. This stage allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. A full grant of planning permission has been received for the school. KWETB have recently submitted the Stage 2b report to the Department and this is currently under review by the Departments Professional and Technical team. When this review is complete the Department will revert directly to KWETB regarding next steps. While at this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for the completion of the project. KWETB will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.

Regarding St Kevins CC Dunlavin, this project has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project is currently at Stage 2b of the architectural planning design process with a full grant of planning permission received for the school. Again, while at this early stage, it is not possible to provide a timeline for the completion of the project. The NDFA will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them fully informed of progress.

Finally, in relation to Scoil Chonglais Baltinglass, this project was approved funding under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide 3 General classrooms, 1 Textiles room, 1 Music room, 1 DCG/Tech room, 1 Home Economics room, 2 Science laboratories with 1 Prep area and a 2 Classroom SEN base. This project has also been devolved for delivery to Kildare & Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB).

Approval to Stage 2B (approval to planning) of the architectural design process was issued to KWETB in February 2025. While the onus is now on KWETB to liaise with the Design Team to progress the project, my officials will continue to work closely with the school authority and its design team to provide practical advice and assistance.

The Department is committed to ensuring appropriate school accommodation is available for all children in County Wicklow and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that these three projects - as for all projects on our school building programme - are subject to the due diligence required under the Public Infrastructure Guidelines.

In July, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and 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. It is planned that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of a 2-year rolling programme.

All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans in November. My department’s 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.