Gael Coláiste Reachrann school
Deputy Heneghan asked for an update and assurances on the long-delayed permanent building for Gael Coláiste Reachrann. The Tánaiste said the project is moving to tender and remains one of the large-scale school projects progressing over 2026-2027.
The new school building for Gael Coláiste Reachrann in my constituency was moved to tender. Parents have been waiting 25 years for a permanent school building. We do not want any more broken promises in the sense that the school was told the project would move to construction in the second quarter of 2026 as previously indicated. Will the Tánaiste outline any risks to this timeline and provide a detailed update on the status go háirithe i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh, áit a bhfuil daoine ag iarraidh Gaeilge a fhoghlaim? Caithfimid an infheistíocht a chur isteach san áit sin. Tá tuismitheoirí agus páistí ag iarraidh Gaeilge a fhoghlaim i bhfoirgnimh bhuan ach tá siad i prefabs atá fuar. They are leaking and they are cold. Can we get an update from the Tánaiste please?
Comment on this
I acknowledge that this is certainly not the first time Deputy Heneghan has raised this issue in the House. The Deputy raises it almost every time we meet, either formally or informally, around this building. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta for all the work he is doing in relation to it.
It is now one of the 105 large-scale school building projects that will go to tender and-or construction during 2026 and 2027. In other words, the project is definitely moving forward. The 600-pupil post-primary school project was authorised to proceed to tender on 12 November 2025. The invitation to tender issued on 28 November 2025 through the eTender portal. A request for an extension to the tender return period was granted. The school has also been granted a two-classroom special educational needs unit to be configured within the existing layout. An addendum is to be added to the invitation to tender shortly. The short-listed parties have been issued a clarification. It is expected the tenders will be returned approximately two weeks after that addendum in the second quarter of this year. The timeline remains on track. I will get a detailed note sent to the Deputy by the Minister, Deputy Naughton.