208. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the need to develop additional accommodation for a school (details supplied). [54058/26]

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my department's pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme. The project will provide one multimedia room, one textiles room, one graphics room, one construction studies room, one technology preparation room, one project store and one science lab and preparation area. The inclusion of a PE Hall or GP/Dining Hall depends on site feasibility, constraints and input from the Local Authority and Heritage Officer. This project has been devolved to Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) for delivery.

The Stage 1 (preliminary design) report outlining the proposed design and costings has been submitted to my Department and is currently under review. In line with my Department’s Infrastructure Guidelines, all projects, including this one, are subject to the necessary technical and cost assessment as part of this process. Given the complexity of the evaluation and the need to ensure full cost compliance and alignment with the National Development Plan, this review is necessarily thorough.

Once this review is complete, the outcome will be communicated to CETB, who will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to ensure they are kept fully informed of progress.

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. Progression to the next phase is contingent on the outcome of the review and the project’s alignment with the prioritisation framework under the National Development Plan.