Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 750 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings. Projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2 billion. This is a record level of investment in our schools which highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities. The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector include demographic growth, particularly at post-primary level; increased demand for special educational needs provision; alignment of school place provision with new housing development; and climate action objectives, including deep energy retrofit.

The project raised by the Deputy relates to a summer works scheme application. The purpose of the summer works scheme is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The summer works scheme operates on a multi-annual basis for categories of works such as roof works, window replacement, mechanical and electrical works and external works.

The Department has committed in excess of €125 million in funding for summer works projects during 2022 and 2023. I can advise that the school in question submitted its pre-tender report to the Department’s planning and building unit and this was reviewed in detail by members of the summer works and professional and technical teams. A number of recommendations were made by the professional and technical team in respect of the proposed scope of works to ensure the project will comply with the Department’s technical guidance documents when complete. The Department requested that these recommendations be included by the design team in the project scope, and requested that a revised pre-tender report be submitted. The recommendations were notified to the school by email on 28 September 2023. The school advised that the board of management would discuss the recommendations with the appointed design team and revert to the Department as soon as practicable. Department officials remain available to assist the school authority in delivering a successful project and await that information from the school. The Department is leading an ambitious sustainability agenda and has progressed a wide array of measures to improve the overall sustainability of our school buildings.

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