43. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeframe for granting approval to schools in Carlow and Kilkenny that are waiting to move to the next stage of their capital projects. [54162/26]

My department’s process for delivering a school building project under the large-scale programme or additional school accommodation programme involves five core stages. These stages are reflective of the Capital Works Management Framework and the Infrastructure Guidelines. The stages range from preliminary design through to completion and handover. My department’s Design Team Procedures set out the requirements to be followed at each stage in the process. These procedures are available on my department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/school-building-and-design/#design-team-procedures-cost-plans-model-forms-tender-communication-guidance-and-technical-notes

In order for a pipeline project to move from one stage to the next, confirmation is required that the project is compliant with all technical and cost requirements relevant to that project stage. Other factors that influence the timing for progress include the relative prioritisation of the project and the timing of affordability within annual NDP funding parameters, taking account of overall programme requirements.

Delays can on occasion occur due to factors beyond the department’s control, for example challenges in acquiring a site, planning permission issues, procurement difficulties or adverse weather while the project is at construction. Such issues are not unique to the school building programme, and the department manages such challenges as they arise.

Overall, my department endeavours to manage the school building programme, across an estate incorporating 4,000 schools, to ensure that projects are delivered to meet the most urgent needs in the shortest possible timeframe.

My department is delivering significant projects in County Carlow and County Kilkenny and continues to progress further important projects. There are currently 4 school projects in County Carlow and 3 in County Kilkenny under construction.

In addition to those in construction, 25 large-scale and additional accommodation projects are progressing through the pipeline.

Of these school projects 3 in County Carlow and 3 in County Kilkenny have been included in a priority tranche of projects due to move to tender or construction during 2026 and 2027 under the Department's National Development Plan implementation programme.

There are also a further 6 projects in County Carlow and 7 in County Kilkenny underway through the Modular Programme and the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.

The Department is targeting 2027 for the publication of the next tranche of priority projects to proceed to tender. Prioritisation will be informed by departmental analysis, engagement with patrons and schools, available funding, and, where relevant, findings from the Department's school estate energy and condition survey, which is due to be completed by the end of this year.

Since 2020, the Department of Education has provided in the region of €54 million in County Carlow schools and over €214 million in County Kilkenny schools in capital funding.

Over this period, a total of 26 schools in County Carlow and 46 schools in County Kilkenny have been upgraded either through provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or provision of modular accommodation.

The current status of all projects is set out under item number ten at the following link (www.gov.ie). This is updated on a regular basis to reflect project progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.

School Building Projects in construction in Counties Carlow and Kildare

School Building Projects to proceed to tender/construction in 2026/2027 in Co. Carlow and Co. Kilkenny