School Funding
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-06
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Michael Moynihan (FF), Cork North-West

I thank the Deputy for his Topical Issue. It gives me the opportunity to update the Dáil about investment in schools in Kerry but, more importantly, it shows that the Deputy is in touch with all the school communities, which is hugely important. All Deputies from all sides of the House are engaging with school communities because they are a hugely important piece. They are educating our young people and are meeting many challenges head on both at leadership level in the schools and as teachers and special needs assistants, SNAs, for which I commend them.
The Deputy mentioned a number of schools in Kerry. I do not have the exact details of all the schools but I will endeavour to get them. I want to reassure the Deputy that we are aware of the challenges faced right across the country with regard to the schools estate, particularly in County Kerry. The Deputy will be aware that over €7.55 billion has been included in the sectoral investment plan for education and youth over the next four years. This plan has a very strong emphasis on maximising existing capacity and prioritising building projects to meet the most urgent needs. The plan includes 105 schools across the country, three of which are in Kerry.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has provided €148 million in capital funding for schools in Kerry. Over this period, a total of 66 schools have been upgraded either through the provision of new school buildings, large-scale extensions or modular accommodation. More than 160 small-scale improvement projects were also completed in Kerry during that time. Eleven school projects in Kerry are under construction while another three projects will go to tender or construction in the 2026-27 period.
The Deputy mentioned a number of schools awaiting special classes. A total of 70 special classes have been sanctioned in County Kerry over the past five years, of which 17 have been sanctioned for September 2026. The Deputy spoke about the minor works scheme. A number of grants are available to schools such as minor works grants, ICT grants, the summer works scheme and the emergency works scheme.
The Deputy gave a reasonably good tour of the kingdom of Kerry in respect of the schools he mentioned and asked me to do a number of things. We are constantly reviewing the funding mechanisms and the capital investment in our schools right across the country. Visits to some schools would have shown that minor works or emergency works would not be enough to deal with the scale of the work that needs to be done. We are acutely aware of the challenges. The Deputy put his point very well with regard to a school that increased its capacity and floor size and still remained at the same level of the minor works scheme. I will certainly go back to the Department and look at that.
On the Presentation school and the toilet facilities, these are urgent matters that need to be dealt with. The Deputy has made several representations across the school communities in Kerry and I endeavour to take up those issues with him. As for the schools he has mentioned, I will certainly look for an update on them to ensure there is an investment in the schools, starting with the most urgent. I will also meet the Deputy to go through the list of schools he is progressing. In the not-too-distant future, if the visas will be stamped, I hope to get across the border to the kingdom as well.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-06/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:54+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-06