400. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51732/26]

The school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the Department’s pipeline of school buildings under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme for a project providing a 2-classroom special educational needs base. The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.

I can confirm that Department officials approved the project to Stage 2b (planning) in Q1 2025. The Stage 2b Post Planning Report is currently awaited and once received, will be subject to a comprehensive technical and cost review by the Department. All projects, including this one, are subject to the full due diligence requirements set out in my department’s infrastructure guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall programme.

Department officials recently engaged with the school authority regarding this project and outlined the requirement for the Stage 2b report.

Progression of this project will form part of my Department’s broader work under the National Development Plan (NDP) Implementation Plan and will be progressed when the wider implementation framework permits.