Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
84. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the contract tendering for a new school building in Greystones (details supplied); if this is being prioritised by her Department to reflect the shortage of secondary school places in the wider area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6256/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €4.3 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 34 new school buildings.
These 300 projects currently at construction involve a total State investment of over €1.2bn.
There are also 90 projects currently at the tender process including a further 28 new school buildings. All of these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities.
This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
The permanent building project for Greystones Community College will deliver a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school and accommodation, including 4 classrooms, for children with special educational needs. The project is being delivered under my Department’s Design and Build programme and is currently at tender stage.
The Invitation to Tender for the project issued in April 2023, as part of a bundle of projects for 10 schools issued to the Department's Framework of Design and Build Contractors. Given the scale of works involving new purpose-built accommodation for 10 schools, some of which are on campus sites, the tender process involves a very large volume of documentation and drawings and takes approximately 8-12 months. Tender returns have been received and are currently being evaluated.
Given the scale of this investment, this tender evaluation process by the Department's technical staff and project management team takes time to appropriately work through. The Department is very conscious of the importance in getting these projects, including the project for Greystones Community College, delivered as quickly as possible.
Once a contractor has been appointed, it is anticipated that construction will commence shortly thereafter. The construction duration for the project is estimated at some 65 weeks.
My Department will continue to keep the school and its patron body updated as the project progresses.
I wish to advise the Deputy that requirements for school places are kept under ongoing review in the context of available information on population, enrolments and residential development activity.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils.
As part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the Department from post-primary schools across areas of enrolment pressure, including in Greystones and Kilcoole. There is an identified requirement for additional post primary school places in this area, and Greystones Community College has confirmed that it will be making 48 additional first year places available for 2024/25.
There is ongoing intensive engagement with a view to confirming further additional provision in the Greystones and Kilcoole area as soon as possible. Families can be assured that all children in the area who require a school place will be provided with one, and there will be further clarity in this respect over the coming weeks.
