Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

523. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a new primary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16900/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 2020, my department has invested over €5.8 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes new school buildings some of which are being delivered in phases. These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.5bn.

The department previously announced 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 600,000 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 priority in my department is to ensure the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs. Applications from schools for major capital works must be considered in the context of capacity requirements and climate action commitments. The Department’s approach is to maximise the usage of existing capacity in schools and, to manage the progression of the existing pipeline of projects within its allocated capital funding and in line with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines. The Programme for Government recognises the importance of strong capital investment in the school building programme and supporting this with enhanced allocations through the NDP process.

The Department acknowledges the ongoing local discussions concerning potential sites for a new school in Carrick-on-Shannon. While there are currently no definitive plans in place, the department will continue to engage with the patron as part of its ongoing review of school requirements in the area referred to by the Deputy.