Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will clarify whether responsibility has been devolved to the KWETB as of 17 January 2024. [2974/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).

It is currently at Stage 2b of the process, which allows for detailed design/planning, obtaining the necessary statutory permissions and the preparation of tender documents. When this stage is finalised, the next stage is tendering for a contractor and then onwards to construction, in due course.

While at this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project, KWETB will be engaging directly with the school to keep it informed of progress.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a schedule of all school expansions and new build projects in Kildare; and if she will indicate the stage and whether devolution has occurred in respect of their delivery. [2983/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 750 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.

School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have a large modular accommodation programme delivering urgently needed school places, of which 6 projects which are at advanced stage of construction and delivery are in county Kildare.

This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

Since 2020 in Kildare alone, we have invested some €250m in our schools and completed 23 school building projects. We also have construction underway at 14 other projects under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme.

This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.

The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:

•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,

•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,

•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.

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, including those in Kildare, are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie/en/service/c5b56b-major-projects/ and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Table below shows all Large Scale and ASA projects in Kildare, including current stage of school building projects

Table below shows all Modular Projects in Kildare, including current stage of school building project