Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Lahart that the Department and the Minister are very conscious of the need to continue to support the operation of the schools system and intend to provide clarity to individual schools on school building projects that are on hold as quickly as possible. As the Deputy noted, discussions are ongoing between the Department of Education and the Minister and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with regard to capital funding pressures. I expect that everything is being done to conclude those discussions and bring about certainty in respect of these school building projects. These particular financial pressures have resulted in the need for the Department of Education's planning and building unit to assess its work programme priorities for 2023 in the context of available funding. That review is ongoing, as are discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, whose enhanced title refers to its delivery of the NDP. Key priorities for the Department's work programme including continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the schools system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023 school year and beyond and supporting special needs provision. The Deputy highlighted six schools in his constituency in which there are current projects. As I said, I will bring these to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and ask her to respond directly with an update and to visit St. Aidan's Community School in Tallaght. The focus is now on finalising discussions between the Department of Education, the Minister and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform so that these school building projects can continue as quickly as possible.

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