Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2014
283. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will have its deteriorating accommodation situation addressed; the applications in process in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39301/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department's over-riding objective is 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. This can sometimes necessitate the use of temporary accommodation, as in the case of this school, until my Department is in a position to provide a permanent building. My Department will continue to liaise with the school authorities regarding their long term accommodation needs. The school opened in 2010 and is currently accommodated in temporary accommodation which is relatively new. It would be expected that with standard maintenance, the accommodation would remain in good condition for a considerable period of time.
Following an application from the school management, my Department, under its Emergency Works Scheme, recently approved funding for repairs to the temporary accommodation some of which was damaged during the storms earlier this year. It is expected that this funding will address the matters raised by the school management in its application. The School Authority was also sanctioned funding for two additional prefabricated units to cater for increased enrolments.
