Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014
297. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of new school buildings that are at or near completion; the position of replacement of prefabs throughout the country; the future plans in meeting the demographic demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8378/14]
View answerA total of 40 major projects (new schools and large scale extensions) were under construction at the start of 2014. It is expected that the majority of these will reach completion throughout 2014 while under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives 2012 and 2013, approval was given to 216 schools nationally to replace 573 prefab units with permanent accommodation. A total of 159 projects have gone to construction and 133 of these have already been completed. It is envisaged that the remaining 57 project will commence on site in 2014.
The 5 year School Construction Plan announced on 9 March 2012 (which is detailed on my Department's website), provides for a €2 billion school capital investment programme to 2016. 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. The Plan prioritises major school projects in areas where future significant demographic changes have been identified.
