Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2015
487. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her views on representations received from the principal of a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39227/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the major building project for the school to which he refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. All statutory approvals including planning permission, fire and disability access certificates have been secured and tender documents have been prepared.
Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget, imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements, it was not possible to include this project in the five year construction programme.
However, school building projects, including the project in question which have not been included in the current five year construction programme, are being progressed to the final planning stages and are available to be considered in the context of the new 6 year construction programme that I intend to announce in the coming weeks.
