Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013
110. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the potential construction and development options for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41642/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the school, referred to, has an application with my Department for capital funding for a replacement school building. Whilst the school, in question, has experienced some growth in pupil numbers in recent years, the school is aware that it is not located in an area which has been identified as an area of significant population growth. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing pupil numbers, the delivery of new schools, together with extension projects, will be prioritised in the coming years to meet significant demographic growth. As it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of this school project at this time, an alternative option to address the schools immediate accommodation needs has been examined and is now being progressed.
In that regard, my Department has approved, under the Prefab Replacement Initiative 2012, funding for the provision of additional permanent school accommodation comprising 502m2 that will provide for four mainstream classrooms, two Special Education teaching rooms and appropriate ancillary accommodation and playspace. As there will be some enabling works required, my Department has been in on-going contact with the school authorities to resolve these issues, and the project has now been approved to proceed to the next stage and the appointment of a Design Team.
