Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has recently completed Stage 2(b) Detailed Design.

Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.

These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn. There are a further 90 projects at tender and a further circa 200 in advanced stage of planning and design, including this major building project for St Michael's House Special School, Skerries.

All departments, including the Department of Education, have to control the timing and scope of capital projects to remain within agreed budgetary parameters. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is currently engaging with capital spending departments on future NDP allocations. As part of this, it is understood that limited additional capital allocations will be made for 2024 and 2025 and departmental capital ceilings will be established for 2026. The Department of Education is fully engaging with this process.

My Department will contact the school authorities to advise of project progression as soon as possible.