Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
270. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a date for when the permanent school building project at a school (details supplied) is due to proceed to tender; if she can explain in detail the delay behind the project not proceeding to tender already; if she will name the projects from lot 7 that have proceeded to tender, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17389/24]
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 currently has planning permission and will, along with a number of other projects with planning permission, be brought to the level of employer-led design with a Design Team assigned to do so under the supervision of my Department’s Project Manager. The process of appointing the Design Team from my Department’s Frameworks of Consultants was completed in September 2023 and the project is now progressing through design development stages.
Projects are subject to relevant due diligence by my Department at each stage in the process, within the context of overall programme and budgetary parameters. In late March, following a review of National Development Plan allocations, the Government approved medium term capital allocations for the Department of Education for the period to 2026. The Department’s Planning and Building Unit is now reviewing its programme plans in the context of those recently confirmed allocations.
I can assure the Deputy that the major building project for the school referred to is a significant priority for my Department.
My Department will continue to liaise with the school and patron body in relation to interim accommodation requirements and provide any updates in relation to progress on the school building project.
