342. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the detailed delivery plan, including timelines and key milestones, for the full modular build comprising of 14 classrooms and associated facilities to address the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied); the expected date for the completion of the design and planning stage; and the projected date for delivery and occupation of the new accommodation. [47249/26]

The project to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department's pipeline for a project under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project will provide a fourteen classroom special education school, including a Home Economics room and the necessary ancillary accommodation, to be delivered under my Department’s Modular Framework. This project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

Following initial approval of the project, a meeting took place in March 2026 involving Department officials, the local authority, the design team, and the contractor. The purpose of this meeting was to address planning and zoning considerations in advance of submitting the project’s planning application.

As a result of this engagement, the design team was asked to further develop the planning application documentation to ensure full compliance with the County Development Plan and any additional guidance provided by the local authority.

While the design has been reviewed by both the school and the Department, responsibility for its development rests with the appointed design team. This design process is necessarily detailed, as special schools require a careful and considered approach to address the diverse and complex needs of their current and future students. A series of design workshops has been held between the school and the design team to ensure the proposed development aligns with local requirements.

In parallel, the school has undertaken visits to other special schools to gain insight into alternative design approaches and operational models.

Given the complexities associated with the site zoning, the design team has requested a second pre-planning meeting. Subject to a positive outcome from this engagement, it is anticipated that the planning application will be submitted as soon as possible, enabling continued progress on this important project. The Department will continue to engage closely with all relevant stakeholders to support advancement to the construction stage at the earliest opportunity.