Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2013
68. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding for an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6414/13]
View answerInformation in respect of the current status of all assessed applications for major capital works, including an application from the school referred to by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, which is updated regularly throughout the year.
The 5 Year Construction Plan that I announced on 9 March 2012 last, together with my recent announcement of the 50 school projects which are scheduled for construction in 2013 , outlines the major school projects that will commence construction over the duration of the Plan. Details of these projects are also contained on the website. The primary aim at the core of the Five Year Plan is focussed on meeting demographic demands to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers.
Due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of essential additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include the project referred to by the Deputy in the five year construction programme announced. It is noted that enrolments at the school referred to by the Deputy have remained fairly steady over the past number of years. School building projects currently in architectural planning, including those projects not included in the five year programme, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. Projects that are at application stage can only be considered for advancement in the context of the demographic challenges set out above.
The Deputy might wish to note that since 2005, under the summer works and emergency works schemes, my Department has provided funding in excess of €882,400 for various improvements to the school building including the replacement of windows, roof repairs, mechanical and heating improvements. Funding in excess of €1.6m towards the provision of a new PE Hall was also provided to the school during the period 2007/2008. This funding is in addition to an extension provided at the school in 1999 comprising specialist rooms and ancillary accommodation which was grant aided by my Department to the equivalent of €1,178,282.
