Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I absolutely hear the Senator on this. She wants to know when students will be able to walk into the school. Unfortunately, I cannot answer that today. We must make sure that the tenders that come in are valid and are awarded correctly. Then the construction phase must be entered into. I am sure that is something the Minister will keep the Senator informed of. Certainly, the Department will work closely with the school management to make sure that happens in as timely a fashion as possible. The Department continues to support the delivery of an extensive school infrastructure programme. Since 2020, the Department has invested in the region of €5.9 million in our schools throughout the country. That has involved the completion of over 1,350 school building projects. I have no doubt that the Department of education is working hard to make sure that the school building to which the Senator refers is added to that list shortly.

I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for giving me the opportunity to answer on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth. I assure the Senator that the Department is conscious of the need to continue to support the operation of the school system in County Kildare and will be in contact with the school and its patron as soon as the tender process is completed.