Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the school building programme in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4457/24]

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 33 projects which are at advanced stage of construction and delivery are in county Cork.

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 Cork alone, we have invested over €500m in our schools and completed 79 school building projects. We also have construction underway at 19 other projects under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme.

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 Cork, 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.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the provision of one Mainstream Classroom.

The school authority was notified of this approval and agreed to adhere to the mandatory procedures and requirements for each stage of the architectural process in order to ensure the project meets my Department’s published standards in design, planning and funding. Unfortunately, these requirements were not adhered to in this instance.

My Department is engaging closely with the school authority in order to resolve any outstanding issues as part of its assessment of the project and will advise the school authority shortly on the outcome of this review.