Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this really important matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Department of Education and the Minister for Education. They have asked me to outline the current position on the major building project that is so necessary for Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise. I understand it is a major building project providing a new eight-classroom school for pupils with very special educational needs, plus ancillary accommodation and associated site works adjacent to the current location, which both Deputies have said is deeply unsuitable for children from four to 18 with severe and profound learning disabilities or autism.

I understand the project is included in the Department of Education's construction programme being delivered under the national development plan, NDP, as part of Project Ireland 2040. The Department's planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023. The Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation is a continuing factor for every Department, but the Department of Education has a track record in delivering on its schools building programme and I expect it to utilise its capital budget fully every year. It has received very significant additional funding under the current allocation, and special schools are to be covered by the free hot school meals scheme under the Department of Social Protection.

Obviously, the immediate priority of the Department of Education is to cater for the requirements of September 2023. The Minister for Education has asked me to say she is very conscious of the urgency of providing special schools, including Kolbe Special School, with modern facilities. I understand the Minister is in discussion with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, regarding capital funding pressures. This will enable them to support the operation of the school system and the development of school building projects to tender and construction in 2023, and minimise project delays to the greatest extent possible. That includes the major building project for Kolbe Special School, which is due to proceed to tender. I understand that prior to the major project being progressed to tender, enabling works are required to underground ESB cables at the site for the new school. I am told those works are to be carried out in the near future. I have asked for a more specific timeline. If I do not get it before we finish, I will revert to the Deputies during the day when I receive the information from the Department of Education.

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