1179. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education and Youth following a submission of stage 2b paperwork under the ASA scheme by a school (details supplied), the estimated timeline and when a decision is expected to be made regarding this application: and the number of ASA scheme applications awaiting approval nationally. [55683/26]

The school referred to was approved to enter the Department's pipeline of school building projects under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme for the provision of one mainstream classroom. The project is being delivered on a devolved basis by the school authority.

I can confirm that the Stage 2b Report has been submitted to the Department and is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective, in accordance with the Department's Infrastructure Guidelines.

The accommodation needs of the school will continue to be considered as part of the Department's ongoing prioritisation of capital projects under the National Development Plan, in consultation with the school's patron and school authorities. Progression to the next stage of the project will be subject to the outcome of the review and the availability of funding within the Department's capital programme.

As the project remains under review and is subject to the Department's prioritisation arrangements and funding provision under the National Development Plan, it is not possible at this stage to indicate when the project may progress to the next phase.

Once the review has been completed, the Department will communicate the outcome directly to the school authority.