2025-12-11

102. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth when construction is expected to commence on approved school building projects (details supplied) in Galway East; if she will provide an update timeline for delivery of these projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70757/25]

I submitted a question seeking an update on many building projects in Galway East such as Coláiste an Eachréidh, which is a fantastic Gael campus project; Kilcoona National School; St. Brigid's in Loughrea; Carrabane National School; Gort National School; and Gort Community School. If the Minister of State could provide me with an update on any of these projects, I would be grateful.

I thank the Deputy for his comprehensive list of school projects. I know that a significant amount of work is taking place. I compliment the Deputy on the work he does in engaging with schools because I believe public representatives should be constantly engaging with school communities. I thank him for his engagement on this and his engagement with us over the past number of months. Since 2020, the Department has invested over €6 billion in school building projects under the national development plan involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Over €227 million has been invested in schools across County Galway in this period, involving the completion of 79 school building projects. The six building projects in Galway East referred to by the Deputy are part of the Department’s overall delivery pipeline. Three of the projects are additional school accommodation, ASA, projects devolved for delivery to the school authority or to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. St. Brigid’s in Loughrea is at stage 2a while Kilcoona National School and Gort Community School are at stage 2b of the architectural design process. The other three projects in Athenry and Carrabane and Gort National School are all large-scale capital projects and are at stage 3 tender action, evaluation and award stage. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a letter of intent has recently issued to the successful contractor on the Gort National School project and it is expected that this project will progress to construction shortly. In July, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026 to 2030 under the national development plan. In relation to project roll-out for large-scale projects and ASA scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of 2026 to 2030 period.

I thank the Minister of State for the update on those schools. For the people of Galway East, these projects are absolutely vital but I will focus on Carrabane National School. I know this has been raised with the Minister of State multiple times and that progress is taking place but the school is in an absolutely dire state at the moment. It needs that large-scale investment to build a brand-new school to bring it into the 21st century and ensure the children in that area are not left behind but receive the standard of education that is required in what is ultimately a safe and healthy environment. That is what is really important.

In relation to the expected commencing of the construction of school buildings, I am aware the Minister of State recently visited Lakeview School, which is an important school on the east side of Galway city. As he will know, unfortunately, it is only able to place five students for the 2026-2027 school year. There is a waiting list of 11 children who cannot be accommodated due to space constraints. The school has the physical space but what it needs is complete refurbishment, which will allow more children to be able to use that fantastic school. This is the school's third year looking for more appropriate classroom space. I know the Minister of State is aware of this project and has been to this school. Will he progress this to ensure more children in Galway city can be accommodated in Lakeview?

I thank both Deputies. Deputy Dolan has raised Carrabane National School continuously with me and the Department. We visited the school in Galway and I know the challenges that are there. It was remiss of me not to say that I am very much looking forward to working with our new Minister for education, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. We have had many lengthy discussions on education over the past number of weeks. I really look forward to engagement with her and her understanding. She held the role I have now, so she will have a huge understanding of it. I will certainly raise these issues. We visited Lakeview School and saw the challenges. Like many schools that we visit, we see the challenges that are there. We are there to meet them as best we can into the future. We will certainly come back to the Deputies on it.