Minister provides update on new Ardee Educate Together school building

Minister for Education Norma Foley has said she is committed to getting a planned project, that will see a new 8-classroom school building built at Ardee Educate Together National School, delivered as quickly as possible.

The Minister provided the update after a parliamentary question from Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd asking for the project to receive priority funding.

Deputy O’Dowd said that the school had been “patiently waiting for 12 years” for the new facilities. 

Minister Foley said that the building project is included in the Department's school building programme and will also incorporate special classes.

Delivery of the project has been devolved to Louth County Council which will act as the contracting authority for the project

The Minister went on to say that the Department is currently assessing its works programme priorities for 2023.

She went on to say that:

“High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023.  As part of its planning ahead for the remainder of 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.

“We are currently at a very advanced stage with these discussions. Progress has been made and I am anxious to bring this to resolution very soon. I want to reassure the Deputy and the relevant school communities that school building projects that are currently on hold due to capital funding pressures will be progressed and delivered – it is a question of timing.” 

She said she was  “very conscious” of the urgency in getting the projects delivered as quickly as possible and that it was a key priority. 

“We will be providing an update to individual schools when our engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform concludes.  In tandem with this, my Department’s Planning & Building Unit will also be updating Patron Bodies and School Management Bodies at that stage. 

“Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond, and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision.

“I want to reassure the Deputy of my commitment to getting this project delivered as quickly as possible.”