543. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the proposed classroom extension at a school (details supplied); the reasons for the delays in the progression of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30029/26]

The school referred to by the deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide one mainstream classroom.

I can confirm that the Department approved this project to proceed to Stage 2b in April 2025. The Stage 2b post planning report was recently received by my department and is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Infrastructure guidelines.  All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines.  Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.

The school was advised to engage with the Department’s Emergency Works Section (EWS) in relation to the wastewater drainage matter. Initial contact has been made, and further engagement by the school is required to progress this issue.

As 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.  I recognise that there are schools with important building projects that are not included in the first tranche of prioritised projects.  As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, the department led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects through the design pipeline having regard to the continual need to maximise existing capacity and determine the prioritised needs going forward. This process will involve engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools and will ultimately inform the next tranches of programme rollout to tender.  The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities.

Based on this ongoing prioritisation process some projects may be added to the list over the course of 2026 and 2027 having regard to their prioritisation and urgency of need and taking account also of the ongoing ability to progress them to tender and construction within the parameters of overall funding.  Where appropriate, my department will also assess opportunities to undertake advance enabling works for the most urgent and complex projects to facilitate a smooth progression to construction in 2028 and beyond.

The accommodation needs at this school will be considered as part of the ongoing overall department-led prioritisation process, in consultation with the school’s patron and school authorities.