Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

635. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if a school project (details supplied) did in fact go out to tender, given that it was announced in May 2022 that it would go out to tender by the end of 2022; if any company was successful with its tender application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12605/23]

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

636. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the schedule of when a school (details supplied) permanent building will start; when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12606/23]

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

637. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of capital funding that is required to complete the school (details supplied) permanent build project; if these funds will be released in 2023 in order for the build to begin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12607/23]

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

638. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the new temporary buildings at a school (details supplied) will be ready for the school term of 2023/2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12608/23]

Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

639. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the length of time it is expected that students will spend in temporary classrooms at the school (details supplied); if there a possibility that this could become long-term alternative to the permanent build; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12609/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 635, 636, 637, 638 and 639 together.

The permanent accommodation for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build Programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Management team to progress the project through the stages of architectural planning, tendering and construction.

It is intended that the school will move to suitable interim accommodation on the permanent site for the 2023/24 school year, pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the new school.

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.

High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.

We are currently at a very advanced stage with these discussions. Progress has been made and I am anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. I want to reassure 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 a question of timing. I am well aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for me. I have engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.

We will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage.

My Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron body in relation to the school’s interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the permanent accommodation for the school.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

640. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the Phase 1 application from December 2022 by a school (details supplied) for proposed essential works to this growing school where places are in increasing demand. [12615/23]

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

The school referred to by the Deputy has a project approved under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. This project is currently at Stage 1 of the architectural planning process.

The Patron body LWETB issued the Stage 1 report to the Department on the 22/12/2022.

This report is currently under review by the Professional & Technical Team in the Department and a reply will issue to the school shortly upon completion of this review.