304. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth to give an update on all planed new primary and secondary schools in Louth/east Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54278/26]

My department is delivering significant projects in the constituencies of Louth and Meath East continues to progress further important projects.

There are currently 5 school projects in Louth and 10 school projects in Meath East under construction. These projects include new school buildings for O'Carolan College, Coláiste Ríoga, Ardee ETNS, SN Na Trionoide Naofa, and Dunshaughlin CNS.

A further 5 projects are at tender stage in Louth and 3 in Meath East. In addition 32 large-scale and additional accommodation projects are progressing through the design pipeline.

Of these school projects 10 (5 in Louth and 5 in Meath East) have been included in a priority tranche of projects due to move to tender or construction during 2026 and 2027 under the Department's National Development Plan implementation programme. These projects include new school buildings for St. Ita's Special School, St. Mary's Special School, Sn Ard Mhuire C, Laytown & Drogheda ETSS and Francisan College Gormastown.

There are also a further 6 projects in Louth and 7 in Meath East underway through the Modular Programme and the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

The Department is targeting 2027 for the publication of the next tranche of priority projects to proceed to tender. To be considered, projects will have to be at an appropriate stage of readiness. Prioritisation will be informed by departmental analysis, engagement with patrons and schools, available funding, and, where relevant, findings from the Department's school estate energy and condition survey, which is due to be completed by the end of this year.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided in the region of €146 million and €262 million in capital funding for schools in Louth and Meath East constituencies.

Over this period, a total of 30 schools in Louth and 38 schools in Meath East have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.

The current status of all projects is set out under item number ten at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/building-works-for-the-construction-extension-and-refurbishment-of-schools/. This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

School Building Projects to proceed to tender/construction in 2026/2027 in Louth and Meath East