334. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application (details supplied) for additional school accommodation in a primary school; when a decision is expected; and if the Minister will consider prioritising this application in light of significant accommodation pressures and the urgent need for additional mainstream and special education teaching space. [50885/26]

I can confirm that my department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the additional school accommodation scheme (ASA) for a mainstream classroom and a special education teaching room.

As you will be aware, my department published in January 2026 the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. While primary enrolments have been in decline nationally for many years and this trend is set to continue, the NDP Plan will seek to optimise outputs from the capital allocation, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs. A department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects.

This school’s application is under consideration, and the school will be contacted directly by my department as soon as a decision has been made.