Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2016
125. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an updated schools building programme for the period 2016-2021 in view of the existing contractual commitments for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17418/16]
View answerThe 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced last November, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, through the various stages of the architectural planning process as outlined in the Plan.
However, on 1st January 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year 14 more major projects have been progressed to construction and there are currently 36 projects authorised to progress through the tender process with a view to starting on site in the coming months. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to commence construction in 2016. The existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding allocation available in 2016.
My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
