Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the capital funding for school building projects will be resolved by Easter; if so, if the new build for a school (details supplied) will proceed in 2023; if those schools that have been waiting the longest and which are unsafe and with inadequate accommodation will be given priority; her view on whether the rights to education of children are being upheld in portacabins which are past their sell-by date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15235/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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.

We will be providing an update to individual schools (including the school referred to by the Deputy) 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.

Prior to the major project being progressed to tender, an enabling works is required to underground ESB cables at the site for the new school. These works are to be carried out in the near future, in conjunction with ESBN Ireland and the Local Authority.