Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding provision of modular building for a school (details suppled); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17415/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I have recently published the NDP (National Development Plan) Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. Two school projects in county Waterford were included in the 105 prioritised projects in the first tranche of projects to progress to tender or construction over the course of 2026 and 2027. This list of projects was prioritised from those projects in the department’s pipeline which were sufficiently advanced to enable them to go to tender or construction over the course of 2026 and 2027.

A department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools.

I can confirm that my department is in receipt of correspondence from the school in question and their accommodation needs will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron. Once a decision has been made the school authority will be contacted directly.