Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
301. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the delay in the construction of a new school building (details supplied); if any plans are in place to address this delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6428/24]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has recently completed Stage 2(b) Detailed Design.
As the OGP have implemented Revised Public Works Contract documents as of July 27th 2023, the Design Team have been requested to further review their tender documents, as the Stage 2(b) Submission for this project predates this revision. The Design Team are to confirm to my Department in writing once they have made the necessary revisions to their tender documents.
In parallel, a revision to the Fire Safety Certificate is also been carried out. Only upon confirmation that both of the above actions are complete, will the project be eligible to progress to tender stage.
Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 34 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn. There are a further 90 projects at tender and a further circa 200 in advanced stage of planning and design, including this major building project for St Eunan’s College.
All departments, including the Department of Education, have to control the timing and scope of capital projects to remain within agreed budgetary parameters.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is currently engaging with capital spending departments on future NDP allocations. As part of this, it is understood that limited additional capital allocations will be made for 2024 and 2025 and departmental capital ceilings will be established for 2026. The Department of Education is fully engaging with this process.
