1348. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth when funding will be made available a school (details supplied) to open newly sanctioned ASD classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62699/26]

The school to which the Deputy refers was sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to open a special class for the 2026/27 school year. Following this approval, the school received a €30,000 start-up grant and was advised that additional funding could be made available where required.

The school subsequently applied for funding under the SEN Repurposing Small Scale Works Scheme (maximum available funding per classroom of €80,000 inclusive of fees and VAT). Following a review by the Department's Professional and Technical Unit, the application was approved on 30 June 2026 and 80% of the approved funding issued to the school on the same date.

Responsibility for delivery of the project rests with the school authority.

In July 2026, the school submitted a Tender Report which included works and associated costs significantly in excess of the approved scope of the project. The Department's assessment found that a number of the proposed works exceeded what is required and were not aligned with the scope approved under the scheme. As all expenditure must represent an appropriate and proportionate use of public funds, the Department has written to the school authority outlining the issues identified. It should be noted that this is a newly built school so the level of works required to an existing classroom to facilitate the opening of an additional special class should not be significant.

Officials in my Department will continue to engage with and support the school authority in progressing the delivery of this project.