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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Enfield school expansion

Summary

Deputy Guirke raised uncertainty over the timing of delayed school projects and the impact on Enfield Community College. The Tánaiste repeated that the issue would be resolved very quickly and that the education system has a large project pipeline.

A couple of weeks ago, we heard that 58 schools building projects would be delayed due to capital funding pressure. I raised the matter with the Taoiseach then and he said it would be sorted by Easter. I submitted many parliamentary questions to the Minister. The latest response two days ago stated that the schools building projects that are on hold due to capital funding pressures will be delivered. It is a question of timing. Therein lies the problem. Enfield is one of the fastest growing towns in the country. When Enfield Community College opened in 2020, a clear plan was set out with a new build completion date of 2023. In May 2022, the Minister announced that Enfield Community College would go to tender later that year. Unfortunately, this project will now be held up again with no completion date. Last year, there were 362 applications for 192 places in Boyne Community School in Trim, leaving out 170 pupils. This is putting a lot of stress on pupils, parents and teachers. Can the Tánaiste give me a start date and a completion date for Enfield Community College?

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I dealt with this earlier. We expect the issue to be resolved very quickly. There has been a record level of school building. The proactive nature of the Department of Education is such that it has a huge pipeline of projects and that is where we are. The issue will be resolved.

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