Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The school in question has received approval in principle for a building project under my Department’s additional school accommodation, ASA, scheme. The project will provide for two mainstream classrooms and two special education teaching rooms.

This project is currently at stage 3, which is tender stage. The project is one of close to 90 projects with a total value of approximately €800 million that I recently announced would proceed from tender to construction during 2024 or early 2025. In addition, at the school under reference, further approval was provided under the ASA scheme in 2022 for modular accommodation to provide one mainstream classroom and two special education tuition rooms. In early 2023, the brief for the school was reviewed and a further special education needs classroom was added to the scope. I am pleased to advise that this project is now largely complete and occupied, with just some external works remaining to be finalised. I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department is in receipt of a letter dated 28 February 2024 from the board of management of the school in question in relation to the acquisition of a greenfield site by the school. Further, an application for capital funding for development of this greenfield site was received on 21 May 2024.

I note that the level of additional accommodation already being progressed for the school under reference, both under the modular and traditional build ASA programmes, is a significant investment in the existing school and will greatly improve the teaching and learning environment. Modular accommodation being provided to schools today is high quality, robust and durable. All new buildings, including modular buildings, are required to meet the near zero energy building standard, which ensures high levels of energy efficiency, thermal performance and sustainability.

Since 2020, the Department has invested more than €4.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of more than 800 school building projects and construction currently under way at approximately 300 other projects. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities to school communities. In County Donegal alone, in the years since this Government came into being, the Department has invested more than €136 million in school infrastructure and completed 42 school building projects. As of the end of April, a further 23 projects were in construction in County Donegal with eight at tender stage.

I had the opportunity to visit that school, as the Deputy referenced, with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue and Senator Blaney. I am conscious and aware, as the Deputy has outlined, of the application it has made to the Department, which is being given due consideration.

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