Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
355. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education when his Department will complete their review of the Tender Assessment Report by Donegal Education and Training Board (DETB) so that the new school building project for a school (details supplied) can move to Stage 4 construction. [9883/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA major building project for the school in question has been devolved for delivery to Donegal Educational Training Board. The Supplementary Tender Report was submitted to the Department in recent weeks and is currently under review. The Department will make contact with Donegal ETB following completion of this review.
The Department's Planning and Building Unit is also currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with roll-out of school building projects to construction in 2023.
Key priorities for the Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The school referred to by the Deputy is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.
