1167. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a new school building (details supplied) will be sanctioned, as students and staff are currently experiencing leaks, inaccessible and unsafe conditions due to the deteriorating building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55489/26]

I can confirm to the Deputy that my department is in receipt of an application for large scale capital funding from the school in question to provide a new school building.

Applications for large scale projects require detailed analysis in line with public Infrastructure Guidelines and must consider a wide range of factors including the school’s accommodation requirements, the condition of existing accommodation, site constraints, available accommodation capacity across schools in the area, demographics in the school planning area, school building projects already in train and projected demand for places in the school planning area.

My department has published the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. In line with the NDP Sectoral Plan, capital investment will be targeted and prioritised to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs, focusing on maximising the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance.

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

The Department led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities and will give a good picture of the nature of accommodation at all schools and will facilitate good strategic overview and decision-making on relative priorities between schools for further investment in the existing school estate.

It is in this context that the school's application will be considered and in due course a decision on this application will be communicated directly to the school authority.

My department has recently agreed a brief with this school for the provision of two special education classrooms. The delivery of this project will be expedited through the use of the Department’s Project Manager and Modular Accommodation Procurement frameworks.

Additionally, my department have approved funding for roof works and universal access at the school in question under my department's Emergency Works Scheme (EWS). Department officials are engaging with the school in relation to a third EWS application submitted for life safety systems.