Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
662. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress of a school building project at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12891/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis school was granted approval for the provision of 1 Mainstream Classroom with en-suite and 1 Assisted Users WC under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
A Tender Report was recently submitted to the Department and is currently under review.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is 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 rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.
Key priorities for my 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 to which the Deputy refers is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.
