Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current position in respect of the payment of instalments to builders who have contracts for the building of new schools, in view of the fact there appears to have been a delay over the past three months in the making of such payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21043/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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There has been no delay in the making of payments to contractors in respect of contractual obligations for projects that are at construction. These payments continued as normal and within prompt payment guidelines.

As you are aware an agreement was secured with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to guarantee and support the rollout and continuation of my Department’s ambitious school building programme. The agreement reached on 5^thApril is facilitating the continued rollout of urgently required school building projects in both mainstream and special education settings, including the 58 projects that were temporarily paused due to capital funding pressures.

Officials from my Department have updated each of the 58 schools in relation to the formal arrangements and next steps in respect of the delivery of their individual projects.

My Department has a proven track record of delivery, with over 180 projects completed last year within a challenging construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. This year alone, in excess of 300 school building projects are currently under construction, including 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools. 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.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all payments due under the contract for the erection of a new school (details supplied) will be brought up to date in view of the fact the most recent request for payment was submitted in January 2023 but has not been paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21044/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Large scale capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 4 - Construction. The request for an additional change under the contract is currently under review by my Department's Professional & Technical section, upon completion of this review my Department will be in further contact with the school and design team.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will urgently complete the stage 3 tender review currently with her Department (details supplied) and allow the school to progress the building programme as soon as possible; if she will acknowledge concerns about rising building costs affecting tenders meaning further delays for schools if tenders are not responded to quickly; if she will take into consideration that the disrepair of the prefabs in question is worsening daily including asbestos issues; when a decision will be forthcoming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21058/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Large Scale Capital project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. A tender report is currently under review by my Department.