Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I confirm once again that the projects that have been paused will go ahead. We are in constructive engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. The delays are a consequence of our ambitious programme. More than 300 projects are to be completed this year or in early 2024, in addition to the 180 projects completed last year. Our Department, similar to other Departments, has been challenged by many of the issues that have impacted on wider society including the cost of materials due to the war in Ukraine; as I have already stated, the additional number of students who we absolutely welcome into our schools - more than 15,000 of them are from Ukraine; and the excellent and most important availability of special educational needs, SEN, places, all of which I believe every Member of the House would support. I acknowledge there are capital challenges, but I also acknowledge in the midst of those challenges, we are benefactors of positive engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, notwithstanding the challenges that Department has across a variety of sectors. The engagement is positive. It is going well. It is my intention, hope and expectation that engagement will conclude as quickly as possible. I reiterate the absolute commitment of the Department of Education to each of these projects going ahead.

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