237. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a new school project (details supplied); and a timeframe for next steps. [66343/26]

The building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is a new 16 classroom primary school with 3 classroom SEN. The project is included on the NDP Priority List of 105 projects to proceed to tender/construction in 2026/2027.

The major building project is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning – Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals, which have been secured, and the preparation of tender documents.

My Department received the Stage 2b submission report from the Design Team in March 2025. My Department commenced a detailed review of this report by the multi disciplinary team and comments were issued to the Design Team requesting clarification. The Design Team have addressed these comments and the responses to those queries are currently under ongoing detailed review.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided over €283 million in capital funding for Galway schools.

Over this period, a total of 98 schools have been upgraded through provision of either a new school building, extension, modular accommodation or climate pathfinder projects.

10 school projects to go to tender or construction in 2026 and 2027 were included in the NDP Implementation Plan.

There are currently 17 large-scale, extension, modular or climate pathfinder projects in Galway under construction. There are also 20 projects underway through the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. In addition, since 2020 a total of 111 special classes have been sanctioned in Galway, of which 33 were sanctioned for September 2026.