Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can confirm that the addendum has been added to the invitation to tender for the new school building project for (details supplied); to confirm a date for when tenders have to be returned by; to confirm that the project remains on schedule to commence construction in Q2 of 2026, as confirmed by the former Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee T.D., in May 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31181/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The large scale capital project for Gaelcholáiste Reachrann is for the provision of a new 600 pupil school building including all associated ancillary accommodation, with the inclusion of additional classrooms for children with Special Educational Needs configured within the existing layout.

The invitation to tender issued in late Q4 2025. Tenders are due to be returned shortly, and will then be evaluated as per procurement guidelines. It is envisaged construction could commence in late Quarter 3 of 2026.

The Deputy will be aware, I have recently published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030.

Of the total €7.55 billion investment it is envisaged that circa. €5 billion will be used for project rollout to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings. I have also published a list of the 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027, which includes Gaelcholáiste Reachrann.

Since 2020, my Department has provided €1843.91 million in capital funding for Dublin schools. Over this period, a total of 253 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 56 school projects in Dublin under construction. Another 20 schoolprojects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 53 schoolsare approved to undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

In addition, since 2020 a total of 503 special classes have been opened in Dublin, of which 102 were sanctioned for September 2026.

Department officials will continue to engage closely with patron bodies, management bodies, and schools with respect to the timing of the progression of projects to tender and/or construction over the period 2026 to 2027.

The current status of all projects continues to be set out under item number ten at the following link: www.gov.ie. This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.