Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
719. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the action her Department is taking to ensure a project at a school (details supplied) is delivered at the earliest opportunity given the many delays already faced, and the pressing need for increased capacity to cater for secondary school students in the Newcastle and Rathcoole areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13220/23]
View answer731. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the action her Department is taking to ensure the paused building project at a school (details supplied) is delivered at the earliest opportunity given the many delays already faced; and the pressing need for increased capacity to cater for secondary school students in the Newcastle and Rathcoole areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13361/23]
View answer740. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education if every effort will be made to commence construction at a school (details supplied) in the coming months, given the announcement that a large number of school construction projects have been put on hold due to cost evaluation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13421/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 719, 731 and 740 together.
The Project at the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of Architectural Planning - Stage Tender Action and Award.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €860 million. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.
We are currently at a very advanced stage with these discussions. Progress has been made and I am anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. I want to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing. I am well aware of the urgency in getting these projects delivered as quickly as possible. The outcome of our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will provide better clarity on the timelines for the progression of these projects. This is a key priority for me. I have engaged directly with Minister Donohue on this matter and will continue to do so with a view to getting our funding pressures resolved as quickly as possible.
We will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes. In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage. Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond.
The current status of all projects are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie. and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
