Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under her Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23308/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under Project Ireland 2040, the Department of Education is investing €4.4 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day.

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. 

Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.

The current status of all projects is listed on a county by county basis, including those in Cork South West, 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.