Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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769. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date toward the provision of a replacement for a school (details supplied) at the proposed new campus to cater for three schools to be accessed through an improved road network; when works on each of the schools is likely to commence; if ongoing discussions and negotiations are taking place with the patrons, with a view to achieving maximum progress in this regard in the shortest possible time given the rapidly expanding population in the area; if due regard and dialogue with the existing schools continues in a way to ensure that a properly integrated plan is in place to maximise school places at pre-primary, primary and post-primary level in the area; if progress has been achieved in relation to ancillary or preparatory works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13655/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project the Deputy refers to has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of bundled school building programmes. The shared education campus at Celbridge is in the bundle referred to as ‘Project Liffey’.

A letter was issued by the Department to the schools in 2022 to advise that their respective school had been included in the programme. The NDFA has since been in contact with each school to introduce the team, communicate arrangements and discuss the project briefs.

The next step is for the NDFA to procure a Design Team for the project bundle to progress the projects through the design stages. An estimated timeline for the completion of the project will be available once the design stages have concluded.

The Department’s Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of overall requirements and available funding. Our most immediate priorities are to cater for September 2023 requirements.

We are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to tender and construction in 2023 and minimise project delays to the greatest extent possible.