125. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a school's building project (details supplied), which has recently been informed of even further delays to a badly needed upgrade; and to assist in the timely resolution of the latest issue involving design teams and the Department, given the delays of over eight years. [71454/26]

The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter my Department’s pipeline to provide two mainstream classrooms (one prefab), two special educational needs (SEN) classrooms, two special education tuition (SET) rooms, and ancillary under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme (ASA). This project is devolved to the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) for delivery.

The project is currently at Stage 1, Preliminary Design.  During this stage, site factors and constraints are assessed, options are developed for delivery of the project, and a preferred option is identified.

My Department is engaging with the Design Team to address outstanding matters and support the completion and submission of the Stage 1 Report. Department officials have also contacted the school requesting the Stage 1 Report, which remains awaited and will be reviewed upon receipt.

All school building projects, as they progress through the pipeline, must undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the Infrastructure Guidelines and Capital Works Management Framework.

The timing of a project moving from one stage to the next requires careful planning and takes account of factors such as compliance with all scope, design and cost requirements; timing of affordability; and the prioritisation necessary for the school building programme to remain within agreed annual funding allocations.

Department officials will continue their engagement with the school over the coming months to provide any necessary guidance.