Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
183. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); what this means in real terms for this school; when the school can expect construction work to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18540/24]
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. Construction is currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings. Projects at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
I recently announced that close to 90 school building projects currently at tender stage 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.
This level of construction rollout recognises the priority that Government puts on investment in education, including responding to the increased requirement for special education provision.
The project for the school referred to by the Deputy when complete will provide a new 16 classroom primary school building and accommodation, including 2 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the permanent site for the school.
This project currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects with planning permission, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s Project Manager. The process of appointing the Design Team from my Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is now progressing through design development stages.
My Department will continue to liaise with school in relation to interim accommodation needs pending delivery of the school's permanent accommodation.
