Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and I appreciate his frustration. As he said, this has been going on for 27 years. Although this matter is not directly under my remit, I have a particular interest in it because the delivery of Gaelscoil Phádraig is being impacted by the delay in progressing the project at Ballyowen Meadows Special School. As Minister of State with responsibility for special education, that is of concern to me.

I am confident that additional funding will be provided and I know that discussions are at an advanced stage between the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to make sure that projects like this go ahead. It seems to me like an unconscionable delay. It is unfortunate, when the Deputy references a meeting held back in 2020, that Covid then came into the equation. That is something that was not envisaged at the time the Department gave assurances to the school. Not alone that, but we also had a major increase in demographics, construction costs and inflation and a ramping up of additional capacity for children with additional needs and Ukrainian pupils. All of those factors together have resulted in the Department being under major pressure.

The Department received €300 million in additional funding in 2022, which helped to alleviate the capital funding issue in that year. I have no doubt the issue will be resolved for this year as well. The strong level of delivery is a key driver of capital pressures in the Department. In addition to the normal school budgetary processes, there are the other factors I outlined.

I have been working closely on this issue with the Taoiseach and the Ministers for Education and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and they are aware of my concerns. I am assured, and I reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities, that any buildings on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered. It is just a question of timing. I know that may be of cold comfort to the Deputy and the school after waiting 27 years but I am well aware of the urgency of this project and the other projects that are outstanding. The outcome of our continued engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This project is of key concern to me.

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