Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

760. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a large scale project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58734/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

761. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a large scale project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58735/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 760 and 761 together.

The joint major building project for the schools referred to by the deputy is being delivered along with Mary Help of Christians GNS.

The project is currently at Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning - Developed Design - which is a crucial element of the architectural planning process as it is at this stage that the design is developed to a stage where it can be fully cost planned and prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.

My Department are currently awaiting necessary outstanding information from the Design Team to complete the Stage 2a Addendum Report. Upon receipt of the complete revised report Department officials will be in a position to carry out a full review.

Until the project design is at a stage where statutory approvals, planning permission, etc. are secured by the Design Team, it will not be possible to provide timings or phases for construction and delivery.

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.

My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the 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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

762. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a large scale project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58736/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school building project referred to by the Deputy will deliver a new 20-classroom Jnr School, a shared GP Hall and two classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme.

The project is currently in construction, with an expected completion timeline of Q1 2026.

My Department will continue to keep the school and it’s patron body updated as the project progresses.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

763. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a large scale project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58737/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as part of a programme of school building projects.

The project brief provides for the development of a 16-classroom primary school, 4 Special Education Needs classrooms, general purpose room and various ancillary accommodation.

The project is currently at Stage 2A of the architectural design process. The Stage 2A report was recently submitted by the Design Team to the Department. A Stage 2A meeting with the project design team, school authority and NDFA is scheduled to take place in November.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

764. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a large scale project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58738/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy will be delivered under my Department's ADAPT programme.

The ADAPT programme uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe for the project through the stages of Architectural Planning to Tender and Construction.

The project brief is to provide a new 20 classroom Special Educational Needs School located at Blanchardstown Road North, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

The major project is currently at Stage 2(a) of Architectural Planning.

Stage 2(a) – Developed Design - is a crucial element of the architectural planning process as it is at this stage that the design is developed to a stage where it can be fully cost planned and prepared to lodge for statutory approvals.

The Design Team recently submitted a Stage 2a Report and my Department officials are currently carrying out their review of this report.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

765. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an SEN repurposing project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58739/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to by the Deputy, was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing 2 Special Education Needs classrooms.

The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I am pleased to confirm that department officials already approved this project to construction and works are ongoing.

The Department will continue to actively engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this much needed project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

766. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an SEN repurposing project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58740/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to by the Deputy, was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a repurposing project providing 1 Special Education Needs classroom.

The project is devolved to the Joint Managerial Body for delivery.

I am pleased to confirm that my department has already approved this project to construction and works are currently ongoing.

The Department will continue to actively engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

767. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an SEN repurposing project being delivered under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58741/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for repurposing works providing 1 Special Education Needs classroom.

The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery. The project is at Stage 1 of the architectural design process with a consultant due to be appointed shortly.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

768. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an SEN repurposing project for a school (details supplied) being delivered under the School Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58755/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to open a special class for the 2025/2026 school year. A Start-Up grant payment of €30,000 was issued to the school by the Department upon notification from NCSE that the classroom had been sanctioned.

The school also applied for the SEN Repurposing Small Scale Works scheme which provides additional funding of up to a maximum of €70,000 per classroom to assist in the opening of the SEN classroom. This application was reviewed by officials at the Department from a technical and cost perspective in line with Public Infrastructure Guidelines and was approved on 12 June 2025 for repurposing works to create 1 SEN Classroom. The first drawdown of the funding available (€56,000) was paid out to the school simultaneously with the approval notification. The delivery of the SEN classroom is devolved to the school authority.

The final drawdown documentation was submitted and remaining approved funds issued to the school in October 2025.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

769. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an SEN repurposing project for a school (details supplied) being delivered under the School Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58756/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was granted approval for the provision of 2 Special Education Needs classrooms (SEN) under my Department's Additional School Accommodation Scheme.

The project is being delivered under the Department’s Devolved SEN Reconfiguration and Modular Accommodation programme. This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.

Kerrigan Sheanon Newman Consultants (KSN) were appointed, from the Department’s Framework to design and tender the project. This consultant led the project through the various stages of planning process and construction.

I am pleased to advise that the project was substantially completed in early September.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

770. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an SEN repurposing project for a school (details supplied) being delivered under the School Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58757/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to open a special class for the 2025/2026 school year. A Start-Up grant payment of €30,000 was issued to the school by the Department upon notification from NCSE that the classroom had been sanctioned.

Under the Start-Up Grant, schools have flexibility as to how they deploy the funding subject to the understanding and acceptance that this would be the full and final capital grant covering core requirements in the areas of furniture and equipment, classroom ICT, quiet space, and room decoration.

Additional funding is also available under the SEN Repurposing Small Scale Works Scheme which provides further funding of up to a maximum of €70,000 per classroom to assist in the opening of the SEN classroom. The school has not submitted an application for this scheme to date.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

771. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58761/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for a project providing 2 Special Education Needs classrooms and 2 Special Education Tuition rooms.

The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery. I can confirm that this project was approved by my Department to proceed to Stage 2b (planning) and submission of the post planning report is awaited. Once received, this will be evaluated from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

772. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58762/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers to was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide a 1 mainstream classroom, 2 classroom SEN base and 2 Special Education Tuition classrooms.

The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.

I can confirm that my department has recently completed its review of the Stage 1 report submitted for this school. Following this review, a request was issued for further information to be provided, through the submission of a Stage 1 addendum design report.

It is now within the remit of the school authority’s design team now to develop the design along with an accurate cost plan which best meets the department Stage 1 comments and recommendations. My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on the project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

773. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58763/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide 8 mainstream classrooms, 2 class SEN base and ancillary.

I can confirm that this project received my departments approval to go to stage 2a, (detailed design) of the architectural planning design process in May 2025. The appointed design team must now develop the design along with an accurate cost plan which best meets the Department Stage 1 comments and recommendations.

It is now within the remit of the school authority to progress this project accordingly. My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

774. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58764/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to by the Deputy, was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing 3 Special Education Tuition rooms, 3 Special Education Needs classrooms and ancillary accommodation.

The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery. I can confirm that this project was approved by my Department to proceed to Stage 2b (planning) and submission of the post planning report is awaited. Once received, this will be evaluated from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

775. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58765/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme to provide 2 mainstream classrooms, 7 Special Education Tuition rooms, 2 classroom SEN base, reconfiguration works to provide 1 Special Education classroom and master planning for GP room and ancillary.

My department currently awaits the submission of a Stage 1 early design report for review from the appointed design team.

It is now within the remit of school authority to progress this project accordingly.

My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance for the progression of this much needed project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

776. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58766/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 10 mainstream classrooms (prefab replacement), 3 Special Education Tuition rooms, 2 Special Education Needs classrooms and ancillary works.

I can confirm that this project was approved by my Department to proceed to Stage 2b and submission of the post planning report is awaited. Once received, this will be evaluated from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

777. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58767/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing 1 SET room and 1 SEN. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I am pleased to confirm that department officials already approved this project to construction and works are ongoing.

The Department will continue to actively engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this much needed project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

778. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58768/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department's pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing one SEN classroom.

The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery. The school was approved to Stage 3 (tender) in Quarter 3, 2025. My Department is currently awaiting the Stage 3 report. Once received, it will be evaluated from a cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

779. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58769/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my departments pipeline of school building projects under the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide a 4 classroom Special Education Needs base and 2 SET classrooms.

The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.

I am pleased to confirm that this project recently received approval to go to construction. It is now within the remit of the school authority to progress this project accordingly.

My department will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on the project.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

780. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58770/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to by the Deputy were approved a project under my Department’s Modular scheme which delivered four mainstream classrooms and two science labs in modular units as Phase 1 of this school permanent extension. As part of this project, there is also ongoing reconfiguration works inside the school to provide two special education classrooms.

As Phase 2, the school has been approved for a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide 7 mainstream classrooms, 1 music room, 1 design computer graphics room, 1 home economics room, 1 graphics room, 2 engineering/ construction studies/technology rooms with prep areas, 2 special education classrooms, 2 special education tuition rooms,1 office, 1 staff room and ancillary. The project was devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) for delivery.

The department currently awaits the submission of a Stage 1 early design report for review from the appointed design team. It is now within the remit of DDLETB to progress this project accordingly.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

781. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on an additional accommodation project under the School Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58771/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school referred to was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing 6 MCR, 5 SET and ancillary accommodation. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I am pleased to confirm that department officials already approved this project to construction and works are ongoing. The Department will continue to actively engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this project.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

782. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the significant delays in a school's (details supplied) electrical installation emergency works, which was approved by her Department on 15 July 2025 but stalled as a result of ongoing delays within the Emergency Works section; if she will investigate and clarify the reasons for these delays, especially given the critical nature of the works and the implications for the school's ongoing insurance cover given that the provider's required completion date for works has passed; if she will acknowledge the urgent nature of the works and resolve to identify and address the delays as a matter of priority; to provide a commencement date for the essential emergency works so that the health, safety and operational stability of the school can be safeguarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58790/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The school in question applied for funding under the emergency works scheme (EWS) for electrical works. The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works to remedy the emergency situation and the scope of works for this project was approved in line with this policy. The school proceeded to tender for a scope of works above the approved scope and on this basis the school was informed that these additional works were unapproved and that only the approved works could be tendered for and completed.

The school has yet to submit a revised tender report in this regard, once this has been received the EWS team will review the tender report and action accordingly.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

783. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons for the continuing delay in progressing an approved Electrical Installation Emergency Works Project at a school (details supplied); when the emergency works section will issue authorisation to proceed in order that works can commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58791/25]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

784. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to publish average and median processing times in the emergency works stream from approval to authorisation to proceed for each month in 2024 and 2025; the escalation protocols where insurer deadlines or health-and-safety risks are identified; the 2025 staffing levels and open case volumes in the emergency works section, including any service standards in place and how performance is monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58792/25]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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785. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in circumstances where Departmental processing delays in the Emergency Works stream result in a school missing insurer-imposed completion deadlines, the contingency supports (including temporary risk-mitigation measures, interim authorisations, or coverage assurances) which are available to protect the school's ability to operate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58793/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 783, 784 and 785 together.

The school in question applied for funding under the emergency works scheme (EWS) for electrical works. The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works to remedy the emergency situation and the scope of works for this project was approved in line with this policy. The school proceeded to tender for a scope of works above the approved scope and on this basis the school was informed that these additional works were unapproved and that only the approved works could be tendered for and completed.

The school has yet to submit a revised tender report in this regard, once this has been received the EWS team will review the tender report and action accordingly.