Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
191. 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. [18548/24]
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 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs on the permanent site for the school.
The planning application was submitted to the local authority on 20th December 2023. A Request for Further Information was received from the local authority on 22nd February 2024 and the Department’s Project Manager and its Design Team are actively preparing a response. It is not possible to provide a timeframe for the progression of the project to tender and construction stages until such time as the necessary statutory approvals have been secured.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to interim accommodation pending delivery of the permanent school and to provide any updates in relation to progress on the school building project.
