Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2015
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of submissions received from the relevant school authorities at primary and secondary level for extra facilities such as new buildings, replacement buildings, temporary buildings and permanent structures; her plans to address these issues in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22679/15]
View answer181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the total number of prefabricated classrooms at primary and secondary level throughout County Kildare has been identified; the steps in hand to replace such buildings with permanent structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22691/15]
View answer182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she has identified the smaller primary urban and rural schools throughout County Kildare which may require upgrading or modernisation to ensure their ability to provide the highest possible standard of education to the children attending; if she has identified a priority list for action in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22692/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 181 and 182 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that details of all applications for major capital funding may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly. The Deputy will be aware that over €2.2 billion in funding is being invested by my Department under its Five-Year School Capital Investment Plan (2012 – 2016). Over €1.5 billion of this is being allocated for the funding of major school building projects. The balance is being used for the additional accommodation scheme, the prefab replacement initiative, the Emergency Works Scheme and the acquisition of sites. The primary focus of the Plan is 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. My Department continues to review the most up to date demographic information to ensure that any emerging school accommodation shortfalls are identified and met in a timely manner. In this regard my Department is currently carrying out a nationwide demographic exercise, including Co Kildare, to determine where school places might be needed from 2017 onwards. On foot of this review, arrangements will be made to provide additional accommodation where this is needed. Under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives 2012 and 2013, approval was given to 217 schools (209 primary and 8 post-primary) nationwide, including Co. Kildare, to replace 614 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €57m has been allocated to these initiatives, of which €46.5m has been paid to date. Of the 217 projects approved, 168 projects have been completed and a further 14 projects are on site. In addition to the prefab replacement initiatives and as part of my Department's large scale school building programme, prefab accommodation continues to be replaced with permanent structures on an ongoing basis.
