Schools Building Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 December 2016

Friday, 16 December 2016

Questions (177)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it might be found possible to increase the amount of funding made available to the various schools at primary and second level in County Kildare which have received capital allocations in the past two to three years to compensate for increased building costs which have seriously affected this sector; if an examination of all the schools in this category has been undertaken with a view to corrective action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40788/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department routinely increases funding allocations for school building projects to meet building inflation costs. Where schools encounter such costs, it is a matter for them to bring this to my Department's attention and apply for a funding uplift. My Department does not intend to issue a blanket uplift as not all schools will encounter this issue. Ultimately, the tender process will dictate the cost of a project and schools are obliged to revert to my Department with the outcome of a tender process where the lowest tender exceeds the grant approval.