1298. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the progress made to date on the planning application for works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57461/26]

As the deputy is aware the school in question amalgamated with effect from 15th May 2025 after discussions between the Patron, the schools involved and Department officials over the previous years.

Since 2020 the Department of Education has provided €214.1 million in capital funding for Kilkenny schools. Over this period, a total of 46 schools have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation. There are currently 3 school projects in Kilkenny under construction. Another?3 school?projects will go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027, and this summer, 5 schools?are approved to?undergo works as part of the Summer Works Scheme / Climate Action scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total a total of 54 special classes have been sanctioned in Kilkenny, of which 17 were sanctioned for September 2026.

As the Deputy is aware, I have published the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors. This NDP Sectoral Plan involves a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritisation of school building projects to meet the most urgent needs. This list of projects were prioritised from those projects in the department’s pipeline which were sufficiently advanced to enable them to go to tender or construction over the course of 2026 and 2027.

A department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects. This process involves engagement with key stakeholders and individual schools. The department will further engage with the patron regarding how best to address both the school community’s immediate and longer-term requirements to ensure it can cater for its enrolments.

The application for additional accommodation to accommodate the amalgamation of these schools is being considered on this basis.