Written answers

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Projects

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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487. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the building project of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27250/23]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers was granted funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) with the project devolved to the School Authority to replace existing prefabricated classrooms with two permanent mainstream classrooms, User assisted toilet and one SET room.

The project was granted approval to proceed to tender in the second quarter of 2022. The school authority must submit a Stage 3, Tender Report as per the Departments requirements for approval to commence construction.

On receipt of same, Officials will then review the Report and revert to the School Authority accordingly.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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488. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 23 May 2023, the number of schools that have been built by year, and per county, between 2011 and 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27252/23]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 circa. 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.

Please see table below detailing the number of new school building projects delivered 2011-2022 and note, during the same period, close to 900 school building extensions were also delivered across the county.

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.

data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2023-06-13_pq488-13-06-23_en.xlsx

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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489. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when construction will begin on a school (details supplied) in Clongriffin given that planning permission expires in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27263/23]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware of Dublin City Council’s Local Area Plan for Clongriffin/Belmayne that includes a reservation of land for a school in the area of Clongriffin identified by the Deputy. My Department has also noted An Bord Pleanala’s decision in 2019 to grant a strategic housing development application to build over 1,000 residential units in this area. In its decision to grant this application, An Bord Pleanala identified the role of the Department of Education in assessing the demand for schools, took into consideration the significant population growth in the area that would likely occur from this development and applied a condition in line with the Local Area Plan of reserving a site for potential use as a school with that condition remaining in place for five years from the date the application was granted.

As the Deputy will understand, evidence of residential development works is a key factor for assessing the population growth of an area and the future school place requirement that may follow. The timing of such residential developments inform greatly my Department’s decisions to commence school building works.

In the case of the area identified by the Deputy, my Department has not been in a position to assess the school place requirements for the area arising from the proposed development as the construction of this residential development have yet to commence.

In terms of school place requirements arising from the completion of ongoing residential developments in the wider Clongriffin/Belmayne area, my Department has a number of school building projects in progress that are addressing those needs.

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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490. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed extension at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27264/23]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been liaising with the school referred to by the Deputy relating to its accommodation needs.

Due to the complexities of the school's site, there are matters to be considered in relation to the potential location for the provision of additional accommodation.

In this regard, the school has proposed using specific areas adjacent to the existing school building for the provision of the additional accommodation. My Department will be in contact with the school authority following consideration of the school's proposal.

I wish to assure the Deputy that this proposed project is being given due consideration and attention by my Department.

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