Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 June 2012
68 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in Dublin 5, 13 and 17 that have been approved for works under the summer works scheme; the works that will be carried out at each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29917/12]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which was published on 10th November last, sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system. Total enrolment in both primary and post-primary schools is expected to grow by almost 70,000 between now and 2018 — over 45,000 at primary level and 25,000 at post primary — and will continue to grow up to at least 2024 at post-primary.
In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects to meet future demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. The five year programme announced on 12 March last is focused on meeting those demographic needs. In the context, therefore, of the financial constraints imposed by the need to prioritise available funding for the provision of essential school accommodation, it is not possible for me to advance with a summer works programme this year.
