1238. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on planned investment in additional school buildings in Louth for schools (details supplied); and the stage each project is currently at. [56350/26]

I can confirm to the Deputy that my department has received applications under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme from the schools in question.

The first school referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for additional accommodation in 2025 and this application was refused on the basis that there was sufficient capacity across the schools in the area to cater for current and future enrolments. The school was advised to manage their enrolments and grant aid was approved on a short-term basis for rental of the local community centre to facilitate the increased enrolments.

The second school submitted an application for additional accommodation in 2022. On foot of this application, I am pleased to advise that modular accommodation comprising two Special Education (SEN) classrooms and one Special Education Tuition (SET) room was delivered in April 2024 and is currently in place and operational.

The third school referenced by the Deputy was recently granted approval for the provision of 1 modular Special Education classroom and is progressing using the Department’s Pre-Manufactured Modular 3D Volumetric Education Accommodation under the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework. Project Manager was appointed from the Department’s Framework to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction. The project is currently at Stage 1 and the first 45% of the approved funding grant has issued to the school authorities.

Lastly, the fourth school referred to by the Deputy has recently agreed a brief of 1 Mainstream classroom. A project manager has been appointed from the Department’s Framework, to design and tender the project and oversee all elements of construction. The project manager has carried out a site visit to the school and a viability report for the proposed accommodation has been carried out to identify appropriate solution(s) for the delivery of the accommodation. Once the viability report is complete and agreed by the school, it will progress to the department’s modular delivery team.

The department will continue to build on the progress made over recent years with the continued rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities.