Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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796. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the new building proposed for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58967/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).

A Stage 1 meeting took place with the department in early October 2025 at the conclusion of which department approval was given to progress to the next stage of the architectural process – Stage 2a (detailed design).

As this project is still at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. However, KWETB will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it informed of all progress

I can confirm that the department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in Gaelcholáiste Maigh Nuad and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is 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.

The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. under item number ten and this is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.