Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The large-scale capital project referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which will be delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework.

The project is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The tender report is under review by my department, the next step in the process is the authorisation to issue the Letter of Intent. Once the Letter of Intent issues, there is a minimum 14-day standstill period before there can be further progression of the project. The period between Letter of Intent and Letter of Acceptance varies depending on the project and the extent of post-tender clarifications required.

I want to reassure the Deputy and the school community, that the school building project will be progressed and delivered.

All departments, including the Department of Education, have to control the timing and scope of capital projects to remain within agreed budgetary parameters.

Additional capital funding for investment in schools was confirmed on 26 March, as part of a wider review of National Development Plan (NDP) allocations. This will support the continued rollout of the Department’s ambitious school building programme in communities across the country. There are many accommodation pressures to be managed across the programme, and the Department is currently assessing our work programme and priorities in the context of the updated allocations.

My Department will advise the School Authorities as soon as possible with regard to the progression of the major project to the next stage.