Phase 2 of the permanent school building project referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme and is expected to proceed to tender imminently.
On 5 April 2023, my Department advised that agreement has been reached to facilitate the progression of the school building programme.
I want to assure you that our team are working extremely hard to ensure that schools are built as quickly as possible so that children and young people have access to a physical environment where they can receive a high standard of education and feel safe, valued and nurtured. My Department has a strong track record of delivery with over 180 projects delivered last year notwithstanding the high levels of construction inflation. There are circa. 300 school building projects currently at construction which includes 40 new school buildings and 260 projects at existing schools.