Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2012
11Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is his policy to concentrate second-level funding in vocational education committee schools rather than voluntary schools; and in relation to the additional funding that is being provided, the population growth projections on which the funding allocations are based. [10017/12]
View answerI assure the Deputy that my priority is to ensure that there is sufficient school accommodation to meet projected pupil increases in the future. I envisage that this will result in school projects being undertaken in all school sectors to achieve this objective. In this regard, I have already committed to publishing a five-year plan which will outline the major school projects that will commence construction in that time. As well as the 20 new schools being established where patronage is to be determined, there will be major extension projects required in many existing schools to cater for our growing school population. In this context, my Department identified a number of schools, including VEC and voluntary secondary schools, as potential host schools for additional accommodation and has already consulted a number of patrons and schools on the matter. The Department will also consider applications from schools for funding for additional classrooms - which schools may provide on a permanent basis - where an immediate enrolment need arises.
