Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The reply to the previous parliamentary question referred to by the Deputy is reflective of the Cabinet decision on the review of the School Building Programme.

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.

My Department wants 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. My Department is 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.

The Department 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.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline a specific timetable for the construction and delivery of a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15852/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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A major building project for the school in question has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council. Following submission of the Tender Report, the Department authorised Louth County Council to issue the Letter of Intent to the preferred tenderer. The Supplementary Tender Report was subsequently submitted to the Department in recent weeks and is currently under review. The Department will make contact with Louth County Council following completion of this review.

Running parallel to the review of this particular Supplementary Tender Report, the 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 €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023.

As part of its planning ahead for 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 be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.

The Department will keep Louth County Council fully updated on developments regarding the progression of this project.