Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) was refused funding for roof repairs. [42675/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school to which the Deputy refers submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for roof works.

With regards to the application in question, as the roof works were completed in 2016 it was recommended that the school's Board of Management revert back to the original design team (consultant and roofing contractor) seeking an explanation of why the current roof, refurbished in 2016, has failed.

In light of this information it was deemed that the works do not fall within the remit of the EWS and therefore the application seeking funding in respect of same was rejected. The option is open to the school in question to appeal this decision via the Esinet system. The appeal should include additional relevant information that was not provided as part of the initial EWS application.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a modular building will be delivered to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42695/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that provisional approval has been given under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme for 8 modular mainstream classrooms and 1 modular special education classroom. This project has been assigned to the Project Management Framework for delivery and is currently in the final stages of the process. My officials will be in contact with the school authorities shortly in relation to the next steps and remain available to assist them at all stages during the process.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has broadened its delivery streams and is utilising Modern Methods of Construction, including Modular Accommodation, as well as traditional construction delivery methods. Modular accommodation has particular advantages in terms of overall timelines and also climate impact in that they generally use decarbonised heating sources.

In overall terms, it is important to have a range of delivery mechanisms for delivering school accommodation to support the current very strong and ambitious roll out of school building projects. This is particular relevant given the overall challenging construction sector market.

The Department has a significant modular accommodation programme in place to assist schools in the provision of additional capacity, including in respect of facilitating the establishment of special classes.

This programme involves the use of Project Management supports which is designed to enable the accommodation to be provided as quickly as possible and help ease the administrative workload for school authorities in relation to the management and delivery of projects.

The use of the Department’s Modular Accommodation Framework also assists in ensuring lead in periods for procurement of modular accommodation are minimised to the greatest extent possible.

The Department is working closely with the Project Management teams and the modular accommodation suppliers to ensure additional capacity for the schools sector is delivered as quickly as possible.

Since 2020, my Department has invested over €5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 950 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 350 other projects, which includes 37 new school buildings. These 350 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.

The Department 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.

I can assure the Deputy that the accommodation approved for the school in question will be progressed as soon as possible.