Schools Building Projects Status

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2015

Wednesday, 22 April 2015

Questions (34)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

34. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal was not granted capital funding during the current five-year construction programme despite the fact that 32% of children are attending classes in prefabricated units and will continue to do so for half of their primary education; if she will reconsider the need for funding in view of these issues, and in view of the fact that the primary school is one of the bigger primary schools in the county, and is undergoing overcrowding as the current premises cannot cope with the educational needs of the students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15503/15]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

As the Deputy may be aware, a building project for the school referred to, is currently being progressed within my Department's architectural planning process.

Planning Permission has been granted by Donegal County Council and the project has been authorised to advance directly to Stage 2(a) Developed Design. I understand that the Design Team are currently working on updating site surveys and investigations in accordance with planning conditions and in preparation for the Project Stage 2(a) Stakeholder Meeting.

Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the funding available for the provision of additional teaching accommodation to meet significant demographic demands, the school in question is one of a number of schools which it was not possible to include in the 5 Year construction programme. However the school project is being progressed to the final planning stages so that it will be well placed for consideration in the context of future construction programmes.