200. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the application for additional permanent accommodation at a school (details supplied) will be progressed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53862/26]

I can confirm that my department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the additional accommodation scheme (ASA) for capital funding for the replacement of a prefab within the school’s existing accommodation.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €7 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,500 school building projects along with circa 4,300 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal.  In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation. This investment has delivered real benefits for school communities.

Our NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, 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.

This school’s application is currently being assessed, and I can assure the Deputy that the application will be progressed as soon as possible. A decision will issue to the school authority directly once this assessment is fully completed.