Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
272. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the timeframe for the granting of approval for a school (details supplied) to proceed to the tender acceptance stage for an extension project approved by her Department; to outline her Department’s predicted timeframe for completion of the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17401/24]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved to enter the Department's school accommodation pipeline of projects to provide 4 mainstream classrooms, 4 SET rooms, a meeting room, science room and staff facilities.
The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently received a stage 3 tender report from the school. This report is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the public infrastructure guidelines. It is not possible at this stage to give a definitive timeline as to when this review will be complete.
It is planned that close to 90 school building projects currently at Tender stage will be authorized to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and 2025. These projects will provide new and modernised facilities to 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. In total, around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the Department' Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional School Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation. 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 the school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country.
Officials at my Department are liaising with the school authority and will provide guidance on the next stage and on how to progress to the next stage once the review is complete.
