Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a schedule of all active new school construction projects and expansion projects in Kildare and Wicklow; the stage each project is at; and the target delivery date of each. [56122/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2020 we have invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. There are also over 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.

This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:

•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,

•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,

•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.

Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.

Currently, 9 Large Scale & ASA projects are under construction in counties Kildare & Wicklow. There are also 32 other Large Scale & ASA projects that are well advanced for delivery in counties Kildare & Wicklow, and a further 10 Modular Accommodation that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.

The current status of all school building projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

The table below shows all projects currently in construction in counties Kildare & Wicklow

Projects on site in counties Kildare & Wicklow: