215. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has specific plans to undertake building works to expand a school (details supplied) in the future. [66210/26]

I can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has an application with the department, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, for mainstream classroom accommodation. The application is currently under consideration.

I am pleased to advise of the completion in 2023 of the school's project for 2 Mainstream classrooms, 4 Special education tuition rooms, replacement of GP room & 1 prefab unit for a special education classroom.

Last January, I published 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.

The Department will continue to advance school building projects on a prioritised basis, focusing on the most pressing capacity and modernisation requirements. A Department-led prioritisation process will remain in place throughout 2026 and 2027 to assess the progression of projects through the design and delivery pipeline. This process will involve ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, including school patrons and individual schools to determine the most effective means of meeting both the immediate and long-term accommodation needs of school communities, ensuring that schools are well positioned to accommodate future enrolment demand.

A next tranche of projects to proceed to tender is expected to be announced in 2027.

I can advise the Deputy that the school's application for additional accommodation is currently being reviewed and contact will be made with the school in due course.