Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update in relation to a project (details supplied); if the school can continue to progress the delivery of this accommodation, as per previous agreement with her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14264/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that approval in principle, issued to the school in question for additional accommodation to cater for increased enrolments.

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. 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. I am conscious of the numerous pressures facing the Department and their need to manage these.

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. 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. The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on a project for a school (details supplied); when funding will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14265/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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.

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. 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. I am conscious of the numerous pressures facing the Department and their need to manage these.

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.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the provision of project for a school (details supplied); if a site has been identified; the timeline for tender, construction and completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14271/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The site identification and assessment exercise for Wicklow Town ETSS is ongoing.

Given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.

Once a permanent site has been acquired, the project can progress to the architectural design & planning stages.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the provision of a permanent location for this school is a priority for the Department.