RIAI

Lobbying Organisation RIAI

Date published 29 Apr, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Engagement with the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding the impact of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Education and Youth (2026–2030) on project pipelines, programme certainty, early-stage project progression, cashflow impacts on design practices, and the need for clarity on timelines and prioritisation of school capital projects.

Intended results To obtain clarity on the status, prioritisation, and timelines for school building projects at all stages of development; to highlight the impact of delays on project delivery, business cashflow, and resourcing; to seek confirmation that projects at tender, pre‑construction, and early design stages will continue to progress; and to request improved communication and engagement to support stable delivery of the schools’ capital programme.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Fionnuala May RIAI President

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

A letter addressed to Hildegarde Naughton, TD Minister for Education and Youth was sent via email to hildegarde.naughton@oireachtas.ie on 25 February 2026. The letter dislcosed the RIAI's response to the recent announcement of NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth sectors in the period 2026 to 2030. The RIAI, ACEI, EI and SCSI members have raised concerns about the capital projects that are not currently listed.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State (Department of Education)