Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school builds that are in the various stages of planning and build process in tabular form; and her views on the extent Covid-19 has delayed the process. [32068/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve 372 large-scale projects and circa. 800 projects for delivery under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.  The pipeline will continue to be monitored to ensure it is aligned with Spending Code requirements and the objectives of Project Ireland 2040.

As the Deputy is aware there were circa 200 school building projects on site in early 2020 when, in line with National Public Health announcements by Government, all construction sites in relation to the education sector ceased in March 2020.  The construction sector re-opened on a gradual and phased basis since Monday 18th May.   While the construction sites were closed, the pipeline of projects in design continued to be progressed in an online and remote working environment. The progression of this pipeline helped smooth the impact of Covid-19 on the overall rollout of Project Ireland 2040 within the education sector. Throughout the remobilisation process my Department has continued to work closely with school authorities and patron bodies to ensure that projects progress and that where necessary contingency arrangements are in place to deal with any issues as they arise. To date, all school building projects resumed on site with the exception of two and discussions are ongoing with the contractor to recommence construction on both sites. 

By way of information, my Department’s website www.education.ie shows the current status of projects, by county, being delivered.  This website is updated on a regular basis to reflect the progress of individual projects through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.