Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the building programme for a school (details supplied); when construction will commence; when the school will be notified with an update; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16227/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The large scale capital project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award. The project brief is for the construction of a new 16 classroom school, a GP Hall and classrooms for children with special educational needs.

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 roll-out 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.

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 also 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings. All these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.

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.

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

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