Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has called on the Government to ‘honour the Commitments in the Programme for Government on the school building projects and ensure Laois projects are included for funding in the National Development Plan’.
Addressing the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers in the Dáil he outlined the situation in relation to Colaiste Iosagain in Portarlington.
He said: “The programme for Government states on page 68 that the Government will support the school building unit ‘in the timely delivery of school building projects’.
“Coláiste Íosagáin in Portarlington has been waiting for a decade and a half. Portarlington is the second-biggest town in County Laois and the school is full to capacity.
“It has a catchment area taking in Killenard, Lea, Emo, Ballybrittas and Courtwood and, in Offaly, Walsh Island and Bracknagh.
“There is huge pressure on student places and a large part of the school is in prefabricated buildings.
“There is a new school planned for 1,300 pupils but this has been going on for a decade and a half. I am asking Deputy Chambers, as Minister for public expenditure, to move this on.
“They have been waiting for approval to go to tender. Will the Government and the Minister for education now move this on?
“Deputy Chambers, as Minister for public expenditure, you have a key role in this because we cannot have schools waiting for up to 20 years to get new buildings in place.
“It is important for the education of the children. It is important for the staff who work there as well.”
In response, Deputy Chambers said he would ask the Department of Education for an update in relation to Colaiste Iosagain.
He said: “In the engagement I have had with then Minister for education, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister, Deputy Naughton, we have prioritised the school building programme in the national development plan.
“For the next five years we have a total allocation of €7.5 billion.
“That is up from €5 billion over the previous five years in the national development plan, which was agreed in 2020 or 2021.
“That will allow for significant ramping-up of the overall delivery of school buildings and, in addition, the special education needs, which are critical in overall school provision.
“The Department has to work with the allocation it has and manage its pipeline in that context.
“I can ask the Department of Education and Youth to provide a more specific note on the timeline for that particular school.”
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