1339. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific expected completion date for the main contractor tender evaluation phase of a school building project (details supplied); if she will confirm the funding is in place and ringfenced for this school building project; the projected date for the official contract award and the subsequent move to the site demolition phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62446/26]

The project referred to by the Deputy has been devolved for delivery to Ceist.

The brief provides for the development of a new replacement 650 pupil Post Primary School with 5 Class SEN Base including the demolition of existing school buildings, construction of a new school building and all associated site works.

The project is currently at Stage 2B of the architectural design process.

An enabling works package incorporating demolition works has been submitted to the Department and is currently under review from a technical and cost perspective. The outcome of this review will be communicated to Ceist once complete.

Since 2020, my department has invested over €7 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,500 school building projects along with circa 4,300 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goal. In addition, repurposing and optimisation of existing accommodation capacity across the school estate has been a key enabler of timely, local provision of special class capacity in a way that supports best practice in inclusion and integration. Circa 80% of new special classes in 2025/26 are being facilitated in repurposed classroom accommodation. This investment has delivered real benefits for school communities.

A total capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth has been confirmed for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.

As part of the NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector, a first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026. A further tranche of priority projects is targeted for publication in 2027, informed by departmental analysis, engagement with patrons and schools, funding parameters, and—where relevant—the department’s energy and condition inventory of the school estate, due for completion by year end.

My department is committed to ensuring appropriate school accommodation is available for all children in the Limerick area and will in the wider context outlined ensure that this project – as for all projects on our school building programme is subject to the due diligence required under the public infrastructure guidelines.