Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) is included in the funding of €800 million for 90 school building projects announced by her Department recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17191/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide 2 mainstream classrooms, 2 classroom SEN base and early intervention unit.
This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently awaiting approval to construction.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects involving circa. 300 projects currently at construction including 34 new school buildings and over 800 projects completed since 2020 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. We continue to have a strong pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme.
My Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in the school referred to by the Deputy and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this school's project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines.
The project is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. This Department will be in contact with the school directly once this review has been completed.
