Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Specifically, Scoil Chonaill in Bun Beag, which has been referred to, received approval for a building project under the Department's additional school accommodation scheme in June 2020. The project will provide for a two-classroom special education needs, SEN, base for the school. The project has progressed through the stages of architectural planning and is currently at stage 3, which is the tender stage. The school authority submitted the tender report to the Department on 8 February 2023. We remain committed to the delivery of this important project and, indeed, the projects that the Deputy mentioned earlier.

I am appreciative of the strong support provided by Government for the education budget. My Department's published national development plan, NDP, allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, the Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with roll-out of school building projects to construction in 2023. I am appreciative of the support and engagement which has been offered by the Department and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, in this regard.

We are currently at an advanced stage with these discussions. Progress has been made and I am anxious to bring this issue to resolution quickly. I want to assure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered. It is simply a question of timing in terms of the financial resource. I am well aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible.

I know of the importance to the local school communities, two of which the Deputy referenced. We are currently in discussion and engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to funding being made available and we remain 100% committed to the projects that have been outlined.

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