Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2015
676. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she proposes to replace, extend or upgrade primary and second level accommodation in areas indicating a particular deficiency in this regard; if she expects to be in a position to augment her Department’s proposal for remediation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34669/15]
View answer677. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which her already published school building programme merits further enhancement, arising from demographic changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34670/15]
View answer678. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of primary and second level school places in each of the towns and villages throughout County Kildare; if she foresees further action, by way of augmentation in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34671/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 676 to 678, inclusive, together.
I wish to advise the Deputy 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 across the country, including Co. Kildare. The balance is being used for programmes such as 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. In addition, my Department considers applications on an ongoing basis from individual schools for funding to meet an immediate accommodation requirement because of increased enrolments and where an additional teacher is being appointed.
My Department continues to review the most up to date demographic information to ensure that any emerging school accommodation shortfall, at both primary and post primary level including those for County Kildare, is identified and met in a timely manner. Planning is already underway for a successor construction plan and I expect to be in a position to announce the details of any new school projects arising out of this exercise in due course.
The current status of all projects on the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie and this is updated regularly throughout the year.
