Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on a list of schools (details supplied). [42218/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The position on individual projects within the overall school building pipeline of projects evolves all the time and the current status of all projects including those projects referenced by the Deputy are listed on a county by county basis at . This information is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

Since 2020, the department has invested in the region of €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 schools building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 36 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn. 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.

Notwithstanding this level of investment, it is also important to note that all individual projects form part of a larger programme. The Department must manage the wider programme within the context of available resources, including funding parameters. In doing so, the Department targets and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child. The main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs. The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to incorporate a physical exercise hall into the planned school building project at a school in Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42243/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the department’s pipeline of projects under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide 5 Classroom SEN base, 2 Science labs with shared preparation area, 1 Construction studies room with preparation area, 1 Project store, 2 Design Communications and Graphics rooms, 1 Textiles room, 1 Home Economics room and 1 staffroom. The project was devolved to the school authority for delivery.

My department received a stage 1 architectural design report, which is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. Once this review is complete my department will be in touch with the school authority on how best to progress this important project.

The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation or by available accommodation at other schools in the area. A request for a PE Hall does not come within the remit of the ASA scheme.

Since 2020, the department has invested in the region of €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 schools building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 36 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn

A future strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme which will enable students in post-primary schools to have access to appropriate facilities to support PE provision, particularly also in the context of the roll-out of PE as a leaving-certificate subject. Enhanced and modernised PE facilities will also provide important amenities for local communities.

However, the main focus of the Department’s capital funding over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special education needs.

The Department is required to manage the overall school building programme so that we target and prioritise areas that are under greatest pressure for additional school places. This reflects the Department’s fundamental objective of ensuring the availability of a school place for every child.

The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing school infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.