Written answers
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Department of Education and Skills
Schools Building Projects
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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883.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the project brief for a school (details supplied) will be finalised; when the project will progress to architectural planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33762/24]
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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884.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the site acquisition for a school (details supplied); when the school to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33763/24]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 883 and 884 together.
A project brief for the school referred to by the deputy is currently being determined by my department and it is our intention to progress the project into architectural planning as soon as possible.
A potential property has been identified to provide a permanent solution for the school in question. Given the sensitivities associated with acquisitions generally I am not in a position to comment further at this time.
It is not possible at this point to give an indication of the timeframe for the commencement of works associated with this project. However, I can assure the deputy that my department will continue to work to progress this project and to liaise with the school patron in this regard.
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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886.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on all the primary schools building projects for County Wicklow, including details of when they were first approved by her Department; the timelines for expected completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33766/24]
Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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887.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on all the secondary schools building projects for County Wicklow, including details of when they were first approved by her Department; the timelines for expected completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33767/24]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 886 and 887 together.
Since 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.9 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 900 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 30 new school buildings. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I also announced earlier in the year that close to 90 projects, including 28 new school buildings, would be authorised to proceed from tender stage 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.
Between projects currently under construction and projects moving to construction in this latest phase, investments by the Department of Education are adding over 550,000 square metres of new and modernised capacity to our school estate.
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.
The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector include:
- demographic growth, particularly at post primary level
- increased demand for special educational needs provision
- alignment of school place provision with new housing development
- climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.
Since 2020, 29 school building projects have been completed in Co. Wicklow, including 3 new school buildings.
Currently there are 6 school building projects under construction in Co. Wicklow, 1 of which is a new school building. These 6 schools are anticipated to reach substantial completion between late 2024 and late 2025.
There are also 50 school building projects, including large scale, additional accommodation projects and modular, in Co Wicklow moving through the various stages of design, of which 11 are new school building projects. Given the stage these projects are currently at, it is not possible to provide an estimated timeline for their completion. The position evolves all the time as projects advance through various stages. A key tenet of the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines is the incremental approvals process. Project approval constitutes approval to move to the next stage rather than overall approval. It is also important to note that all individual projects form part of a larger programme. The Department must manage its capital programme within the context of available resources, including funding parameters.
The status of all large scale and additional school accommodation projects is set out at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/d73cb-building-works-for-the-construction-extension-and-refurbishment-of-schools/. This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
The table below provides details of yearly investment in the School Building Programme in Co. Wicklow from 2020 to date
| Capital Expenditure on School Building Projects in Co. Wicklow | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (€m) | 2021(€m) | 2022(€m) | 2023(€m) | 2024(€m) | Total (€m) |
| 19 | 41 | 33 | 30 | 7 | 130 |
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