Schools Building Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2023

Thursday, 23 March 2023

Questions (147)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the decision to put 58 school building projects on hold (details supplied) has the knock-on effect of further delaying the move of a school from its current temporary location in prefabs to its permanent location, meaning the school has now been waiting 27 years for a permanent home; her views on whether this delay is unacceptable; if she will take urgent and immediate action to prevent this further delay and ensure that the school will be in its permanent location not later than 2025 when it will celebrate its 30 year anniversary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14159/23]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I wish to advise that the school referred to by the Deputy will relocate to an existing building currently occupied on an interim basis by another school while awaiting the construction of a building project for that school.

In this regard, the building project for that school is at an advanced stage of the tender process. The project is currently on hold to proceed to construction due to capital funding pressures.

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.

My Department 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. My Department is 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.

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 2023/2024 school year.