594. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) can expect a decision on its application under the additional school accommodation scheme in light of the school's stated health and safety and accommodation pressures. [65337/26]

I can confirm that the department is in receipt of an application from the school in question under the additional school accommodation scheme (ASA) for a mainstream classroom and a special education teaching room.

As you will be aware, the department published in January 2026 the €7.55 billion NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth Sectors for the period 2026 to 2030. 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. While primary enrolments have been in decline nationally for many years and this trend is set to continue, the NDP Plan will seek to optimise outputs from the capital allocation, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs. A department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027 to assess and evaluate the progression of individual projects.

This school’s application is under consideration in this context, and the school authorities will be contacted directly by my officials as soon as a decision has been made.