Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
111. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on school building projects in Carlow; how many new schools are in planning stage; how many new school builds have started; how many have yet to be tendered for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16157/24]
View answerSince 2020, my department has invested in the region of €4.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 800 school building projects and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
It is also planned that close to 90 projects currently at tender stage, including 28 new school buildings, will be authorised to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department’s Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation.
These projects moving to construction in this next phase will add in the region of 200,000 m2 of additional and modernised permanent capacity across the school estate and involve 28 new school buildings and 61 extensions at existing buildings.
These projects will help schools cater for growing populations in their areas and include 138 classrooms for children with special education needs, which is a key priority for Government.
This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities, right around the country.
Since 2020, in Carlow alone, we have invested over €30m in our schools, and have completed 19 school building projects.
Construction is underway at 6 other projects in Co. Carlow. 3 of these projects are under the Additional Accommodation Scheme and 3 projects are under the Modular Programme. There is 1 new school project in architectural planning in Co. Carlow.
The status of all projects, including those in Co. Carlow, is set out at (www.gov.ie) and is updated on a regular basis.
