Dáil Debate Highlights Expiry Risks and Land Transfer Delays for Cork School Projects
Wednesday 4 November 2026
Planning permissions nearing expiration and stalled council land transfers are delaying major school construction projects in County Cork, Dáil Éireann has heard.
Expiring planning permissions and delayed land transfers are threatening school building projects in County Cork, Dáil Éireann heard.
Raising the issue with the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Eoghan Kenny highlighted the case of Coláiste an Chroí Naofa in Carraig na bhFear. Approximately €900,000 has been spent on the project, but it remains at stage 2B while its planning permission is due to expire in 2027. Kenny warned that further administrative delays could jeopardise the permission entirely.
In Ballincollig, where the local population grew by more than 13% between 2016 and 2022, two schools—Le Chéile Secondary School and Gaelscoil an Chaisleain—continue to operate in temporary accommodation. The schools are awaiting permanent facilities at Lisheens, but progress has been delayed by an outstanding legal land transfer with Cork City Council.
Kenny also cited long-standing delays at the Convent Primary School in Mallow and noted wider State expenditure on temporary buildings. In 2024, €28.8 million was spent renting prefabricated accommodation across 440 schools nationwide, including €3.7 million in Cork. Nationwide rental costs reached €37 million in 2025.
Responding, Minister Hildegarde Naughton stated that the Department's €7.55 billion National Development Plan sectoral investment plan covers 2026 to 2030, with capital allocations of €1.6 billion each year in 2026 and 2027. The Minister noted that out of 105 school building projects scheduled to proceed to tender or construction across 2026 and 2027, 56 have completed, commenced construction, or received approval to start. Around 1,000 school building projects of varying sizes are expected to be active on site during 2026.