Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a programme of school building projects. The project will deliver a new purpose-built, 14 classroom school for pupils with special educational needs.

The project commenced on site in Q4 2023 and pending no issues or delays, it is estimated to be completed before the end of 2025.

The NDFA are engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The project, to which the Deputy refers, has been devolved for delivery to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) and is part of a campus project.

The project is currently at Stage 2a (detailed design) of the architectural design process. The Stage 2a report was received and is currently under review by the Department’s professional and technical team. Once this review is complete, a meeting will be arranged with the relevant stakeholders, and the project will then progress to Stage 2b. This stage 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.

It is not possible at this stage to give a timeline for project completion. The ETB will continue to engage directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the major school building project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Louth County Council. Construction commenced onsite in July 2023.

It is envisaged that, pending no further delays or issues, the build will be complete in early Quarter 2 2025.

Louth County Council will keep the school authority informed of the project progress.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.

These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.

It is also planned that close to 90 projects currently at tender stage, including 28 new school buildings, will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.

These projects moving to construction in this next phase will add in the region of 200,000 m2 of additional and modernised permanent capacity across the school estate and involve 28 new school buildings and 61 extensions at existing buildings.

These projects will help schools cater for growing populations in their areas and include 138 classrooms for children with special education needs, which is a key priority for Government.

This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities, right around the country.

During 2023, the school referred to by the Deputy, received over €98,000 in capital funding comprising of funding from the Emergency Works Scheme and Minor Works funding. The capital funding provided to date in 2024 is almost €11,000 in Minor Works funding.

The status of all projects is set out at (www.gov.ie) and is updated on a regular basis.

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 800 school building projects. Construction is 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. All of these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.

The permanent building project referred to by the Deputy, will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered as part of a bundle of 10 schools under my Department’s Design and Build programme. Tender Assessment has now concluded and a Letter of Intent (LOI) has issued to the preferred tenderer.

This allows the preferred tenderer to put in place the Bond, Insurances, and confirmations of all legal arrangements required under the Contract.

The next step will be the issue of the Letters of Acceptance to the successful contractors. This will be done following further engagement with the successful contractors in relation to their tenders for the design and construction of the new schools. This engagement will also provide clarity on the contractor’s programme of works for the delivery of the projects and timelines.

Following receipt of all the necessary documentation and clarifications, my Department will then be in a position to issue the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) which will allow the contractor to mobilise on site.

My Department will keep the school authority informed as the project progresses and will advise when the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) issues.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an extension to a school (details supplied) will be greenlit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21418/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of school buildings under my department's Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) Scheme to provide 1 SET room.

The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. A Stage 3 (tender report) has been received by my department which has been reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines

The outcome of this review process has been completed and will be communicated with the school authority regarding the next steps to advance this significant project shortly.