The issue of a new school building for Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa in Clara has been raised in the House in past. This project has been on the agenda for several years and has recently reached stage 2a of the design process. This is something I have been pushing for since I was elected. The people of Clara have been hearing about this new school for far too long. The students and teachers are working in buildings that are long past their best and they deserve a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that meets educational and inclusion standards. I welcome that the project has reached stage 2a but progress has been painfully slow. This has been going on for years and we need to have real movement, not more reports or reviews. The new school in Clara will serve 400 pupils and include a four-classroom special education unit. It is essential for the town and for families across Offaly.

I thank the Deputy for his question on this school. It is my objective as Minister for Education and Youth to progress as many projects as possible. At the moment there are about 300 between large-scale, additional accommodation and special education projects that are moving but a significant cohort will come down the line in years to come These projects are at either stage 2a or 2b, moving to tender and moving to construction. The funding that has been secured for the next NDP is €7.55 billion. What I am working on at the moment is setting out what the plans look like for the next year, two years and up to five years to ensure as many of those projects, including in the Deputy’s constituency, can move forward as quickly as possible.