78. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the building project for a school (details supplied). [53966/26]

The major project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 1 – Preliminary Design (assessment of site and location suitability and initial sketch scheme).

As part of the Stage 1 process the design team submit a Stage 1 report to my department which outlines a preferred design option, including the scope and extent of works to be carried out.

The Stage 1 report was received in my department in January 2025 and upon completion of the department’s due diligence review, the Stage 1 stakeholders meeting took place on 24th March 2025 where the principal, a representative from Educate Together, all design team members, the project manager and department officials were in attendance.  The meeting concluded with agreement that the design team would explore further design layout options and submit a Stage 1 addendum report.

The full design team Stage 1 addendum report was received in August 2025.

The department Stage 1 addendum comments issued last month, via the project manager, for the design teams attention.

Department officials are currently working to close out Stage 1.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided €818.82 million in capital funding for Cork schools.

Over this period, a total of 171 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.

12 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan.

There are currently 17 school projects in Cork under construction.

This summer, 35 schools?are approved to?undergo works as part of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

In addition, since 2020 a total of 376 special classes have been sanctioned in Cork, of which 70 were sanctioned for September 2026.