Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
370. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made in the construction of a new school building for a school (details supplied) with new school building funding approved in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19514/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) for the provision of a new 32-classroom primary school and a 2-class SEN base.
Following receipt of a detailed design and planning report from LCETB's design team, my Department recommended enhancements to the project, which related principally to the proposed decarbonisation strategy and project phasing requirements for the school.
The Stage 2b addendum report requested, including an updated cost plan was recently received into my Department and is currently being reviewed by Department officials. Once this review is completed, Department officials will be in contact with LCETB in regard to the next appropriate steps to progress this significant project, which is tendering for a contractor and onwards to construction in due course.
My Department will continue to work closely with LCETB and its Design Team in this regard.
I can assure you that my Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in Monaleen NS and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that the Monaleen NS project - as for all projects on the school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure guidelines. It is a challenging construction environment across all sectors (Education, Housing, Transport etc.) and my Department is also required to manage the timing, scope and cost of individual projects to remain within budgetary parameters for the overall programme – this involves constant review throughout the project life cycle.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested around €4.5 billion in schools throughout the country. Around 800 school building projects have been completed and 300 other projects are under construction. School building projects under construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion with most of these projects due for completion in 2024 and 2025. This is a record level of investment and highlights my Department’s very strong track record in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
The status of all projects in the pipeline, including those at tender stage, is set out by County at (www.gov.ie) and is updated on a regular basis.
