Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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536. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will expedite the provision of a much-needed new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57177/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for delivering a major project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board (DDLETB).

The Department has been reviewing the next steps in the progression of the project and I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a feasibility study has been completed which has been shared with the DDLETB and further discussions have taken place with the DDLETB regarding the optimum means to provide a new school building. The DDLETB have indicated to the Department that they have scheduled an internal team meeting to discuss and expect to revert to the Department in early 2024.

In this regard, my Department has and will continue to work closely with the school authority, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board in order to identify the most appropriate solution for the wider education community in the area.

As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for completion.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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537. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline capital investments in Clondalkin and Lucan during 2023, by school. [57201/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have over 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.

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.

In Clondalkin & Lucan alone, we have invested in excess of €41m in our schools during 2023. Currently there are 7 Large Scale or Additional Accommodation (ASA) school building projects under construction in Clondalkin & Lucan. There are also 2 modular accommodation projects in Lucan that are at construction stage.

The key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:

•demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level,

•alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level,

•climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.

Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.

Capital investment in Clondalkin and Lucan during 2023:

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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538. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools, by name and locality in an area (details supplied), that have been approved for delivery and construction; the stage of the planning process each is currently at, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57202/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2020, my Department has invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects. School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have over 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage.

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 key drivers of capital investment in the schools sector are as follows:

demographic change, including keeping pace with delivery of SEN and accommodation for Ukrainian pupils particularly at Post Primary level;

alignment with housing provision and national planning at school planning area level; and

climate action objectives including deep energy retrofit.

Key priorities for my Department are supporting the operation of the school system and adding necessary capacity to cater for special education needs provision, mainstream demographics and catering for students from Ukraine and other countries under the International Protection system.

The current status of all projects, including those in Dublin, are listed on a county by county basis at www.gov.ie/en/service/c5b56b-major-projects/ and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.