Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the concerns of a school (details supplied); if she has taken steps to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13406/23]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There has been shock right across the school community as a result of letters issued to a number of schools stating that their building projects are now stalled. It seems that as many as 16 schools in my constituency may be affected, although the details are still sketchy. I have raised with the Minister in these questions two of those schools, Scoil Chonaill in Bun Beag and Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí. Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí is waiting for diggers to go in. They have 24 hours left on their contract for tender. They needed a decision immediately. Can the Minister give them this reassurance today?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That does not give us the reassurance that the school community needs. On Tuesday, the Taoiseach stated, "I am happy to confirm and give the reassurance that funding will be provided for those 58 schools to continue construction this year." Can the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, echo those words? Are all of these 58 schools, in the words of the Taoiseach, going "to continue construction this year"?

Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí has been in prefabs since 1999. It has been waiting on the school building programme for 12 years. All of the architects' work has been done and a contractor has been appointed. The contractor has sourced its materials. Employees are ready to roll. They have 24 hours before there is a significant delay in terms of the project. This entire school community is in prefabs. It is not acceptable. Can the Minister give any assurances that within the next 24 hours positive news can flow to the board of management to allow the contractor to build the school for the pupils and teachers of that community?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to confirm the Department of Education has a very ambitious programme of delivery for our schools. Right throughout Covid, our school buildings continued to be built. Last year, a significant number of buildings - 180 new buildings - were provided for. This year, there are 300 projects on hand to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024.

We have to concede that the Department, like wider society, has been affected by the war in Ukraine, which has impacted the cost of materials. Within the Department of Education, we have provided capacity for more than 15,000 students from Ukraine, which is having its own impact, but with schools positively wanting to do that and graciously doing so. We have also accelerated the delivery of SEN. All of this is important work.

We are 100% committed to the delivery of the schools that the Deputy has referenced.

There is an issue around capital funding. We are in a positive engagement with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and his Department on that funding being released as quickly and as soon as possible.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Minister is saying; that she is committed to these projects, and I take her at face value on that. The big question, however, is: when is she committed to delivering them? A total of 58 schools have a pause. They have received the letters and emails and there is shock in the communities. The Taoiseach stood in the seat across from me on Tuesday and gave a reassurance that "funding will be provided for those 58 schools to continue construction this year." Does one end of government know what the other end of government is doing? Why can the Minister for Education not echo those words? Will these 58 schools, as the Taoiseach said, "continue construction this year"? Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí is ready to roll and if the decision is not made in the next 24 hours, there will be significant delay because of the tender process and the contract that has been awarded. Can the Minister give any reassurances to that school in particular that a decision will be made in the next 24 hours? Crucially, will she echo the words of the Taoiseach that all 58 schools will go to construction this year? If not, was the Taoiseach talking through his hat?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that the Department is 100% committed to these projects moving ahead and they are all at various stages.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When?

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have the floor. I am fully committed to these projects going ahead. They are part of a hugely ambitious programme that we have delivered on in the past, including right through Covid, and we are determined to deliver on it this year. We need additional funding to do that and we are in discussion and communication with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, and the Minister on it. I want to acknowledge that they also have demands across a variety of other issues and Departments. They are engaging with us on a positive basis, however, and I am confident that there will be a positive outcome to this. We are seeking to have that outcome in the shortest timeframe possible. The discussions and engagement are ongoing but we are committed to this, and at no stage have we ever said these projects will not continue. These projects will continue and the timing of them will be determined by the availability of funding from the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister look at Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí in particular? There is a significant issue with its contract.