Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the proposed Gaelcholáiste project has still not gone to tender despite repeated assurances that it would do so by the end of Q3 2025; if the project remains on track for commencement of construction in Q2 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59673/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The large scale capital project referred to by the Deputy is the provision of a new 600 pupil school, plus 2 SEN, and ancillary accommodation.

The project was originally authorised to proceed to tender upon completion of the Prequalification Questionnaire (PQQ) shortlisting process in September 2022. Planning Permission was due to expire in December 2022 and it was anticipated that an application to extend the duration could be submitted.

However, due to changes in the Planning and Development Act 2000, there was no longer provision to apply for an extension and a new application would be required. Authorisation was given in June 2022 to progress the new planning application.

My department previously advised a new grant of planning was received in December 2023, with a number of conditions attached. As a result, decarbonisation measures were included in a revised project scope in line with Climate Action objectives.

The design team have finalised the pre-tender checks and documents in line with revised technical guidance documentation from the Department of Education and Youth and a report was recently submitted to my department for review. This review is now being undertaken in the context of my Department’s NDP allocation and the finalisation of the NDP Implementation Plan.

I expect that review by my department officials to be completed shortly in relation to the Gaelcholáiste Reachrann project which will allow the tender to take place.

This large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery and department officials remain engaged throughout with the Patron, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB).