I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is included in the 6 year construction programme 2016-21 which was announced in November 2015.
However, as the deputy has been informed, 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. This has meant that the progression to tender stage of the major extension and refurbishment project for this school is not possible at this time. My Department officials wrote to the Board of Management of the school on 28th April notifying them of this.
My officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects, including the project for the school in question, will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
