Written Answers Nos. 156-77
156. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the design team for a school (details supplied) has submitted its assessment of the changes that are required to the tender documents for the project arising from changes introduced in public works contracts; if the report has been reviewed; when tenders will be invited for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40539/16]
View answerThe building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been obtained.
In September 2016, the Board of Management and its Design Team were requested to review the impact of the recently introduced changes to the Public Works Contracts (PWC) and to revert to my Department with an assessment of what, if any, additional works are required to bring the tender documents into line with those changes. This report has not yet been received by my Department.
Upon receipt and review of this outstanding documentation my Department will revert to Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
157. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the commitment to the opening of a gaelcholáiste for north Kildare in Maynooth in 2019, as indicated in the school building programme 2016 to 2021 announced on 17 November 2015 by his predecessor; the steps being taken to secure a site for the gaelcholáiste in view of the fact that the gaelcholáiste is to open in 2019; when a design team will be appointed to seek planning permission for the gaelcholáiste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40543/16]
View answerThe new schools which will open in 2017 and 2018 to cater for increased demographic demand nationwide were announced in November 2015.
As part of that announcement, it was stated that a Gaelcholáiste to serve the North Kildare area will open in 2019, subject to sufficient viability of the Irish-medium Aonad, which is currently part of Maynooth Community College. The Gaelcholáiste will operate under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board with An Foras Pátrúnachta.
In that context, my Department will continue to work closely with the Education and Training Board and An Foras Pátrúnachta in relation to the provision of appropriate accommodation for the establishment of the Gaelcholáiste.
158. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the general criteria used to have a school or a group of schools included in the DEIS programme up to now and prior to the review which is due in 2017; the guidelines that were issued to assist applicants; the supporting information that was required to process an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40551/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the underlying criteria used in 2005 for participation in DEIS was a school's relative level of disadvantage against all other schools. Schools with the highest concentration of disadvantage were selected for participation in the DEIS programme. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the programme.
At Primary level the identification for participation in DEIS was based on analysis of a survey, carried out by the Educational Research Centre (ERC), of all primary schools. This analysis identified the socio-economic variables that collectively best predict achievement, and these variables were then used to identify schools for participation in the School Support Programme. The variables involved were:
% unemployment
% local authority accommodation
% lone parenthood
% Travellers
% large families (5 or more children)
% pupils eligible for free books.
At Post Primary level the identification process was based on centrally held data on pupils from the Post Primary Database and the State Examinations Commission database, using the following criteria:
Medical card data for Junior Cert candidates;
Junior Cert retention rates;
Junior Cert exam results aggregated to school level;
Leaving Cert retention rates by school;
The identification process for DEIS was in line with international best practice and had regard to, and employed, the existing and most appropriate data sources available.
The Educational Research Centre (ERC) conducted surveys of new and amalgamated schools that were established up to September 2008. These surveys sought the same information as the original DEIS survey and the same variables were used to calculate the schools relative level of disadvantage. With the exception of two or more DEIS schools amalgamating to form a new school, no newly established school has been admitted to the DEIS programme since 2009.
As the Deputy may be aware, a process to review the DEIS Programme, which began last year is nearing completion and it is my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion in the coming weeks.
Further information on the DEIS Review process is available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
159. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed starting date for the review of the DEIS programme in 2017; his plans to have a target date for the conclusion of this review; when he anticipates the approximate date when the new programme will begin roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40552/16]
View answerA process to review the DEIS Programme began last year and is now nearing completion. It is the my intention to publish a new Action Plan for Educational Inclusion in the coming weeks.
The review process is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and its scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness.
Among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing measures, which have been shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged children and students. The plan is expected to include targeted measures in the area of:
School leadership
School networks and clusters
Teaching methodologies
Integration of schools and other State supports within communities
Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services
A new assessment framework is also being developed using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of schools for inclusion in a new Programme. The number of schools to receive supports under a new School Support Programme will be determined by this proposed new identification process, which will assess all schools in the country. Schools will not be required to submit an application for assessment as the methodology being applied involves the use of centrally held data already available to my Department.
Implementation of actions arising from the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
Further information on the DEIS Review process is available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
160. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the ranking of Tipperary town in terms of level of need in the current DEIS programme, as an urban centre and the individual ranking of the schools in the town, based on information and research in the possession of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40553/16]
View answerThere are 14 schools in Tipperary which participate in the current DEIS Programme. Of these 2 are categorised as DEIS Band 1; 5 as DEIS Band 2; 7 in the Rural strand of DEIS and 7 Post-Primary schools. One of the Post-Primary schools is located in Tipperary Town. Under the current programme inclusion in DEIS is based on school data rather than area based information.
As the Deputy will be aware a process to review the current DEIS programme is nearing completion. The review process is looking at all aspects of DEIS, including the range and impact of different elements of the School Support Programme, the potential for innovation within and between schools and its scope for increased integration of services provided by other Departments and Agencies, in order to improve effectiveness.
Among the measures to be included in the plan are a series of pilot schemes aimed at introducing measures, which have been shown to work well in improving results for disadvantaged children and students. The plan is expected to include targeted measures in the area of:
School leadership
School networks and clusters
Teaching methodologies
Integration of schools and other State supports within communities
Greater use of Home School Community Liaison services
A new assessment framework is also being developed using centrally held CSO and DES data for the identification of schools for inclusion in a new Programme. The number of schools to receive supports under a new School Support Programme will be determined by this proposed new identification process, which will assess all schools in the country. Schools will not be required to submit an application for assessment as the methodology being applied involves the use of centrally held data already available to my Department.
Implementation of actions arising from the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion will begin in the 2017/18 school year, and will be a continuing theme in our wider Annual Action Plan for Education.
Further information on the DEIS Review process is available on the Department’s website at www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools.
161. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the demand for places in a school (details supplied) it is intended to increase the proposed accommodation of the school from eight mainstream classrooms to nine classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40574/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, construction work on site has commenced on the major building project to provide a new 8 classroom school building for the school referred to.
In that regard, I wish to advise the Deputy that, as the major project is currently on site, it is not possible to extend the accommodation brief or vary the construction contracts at this time. I understand that a variation of the contract brief, as referred to, would require the current construction work to be halted, the project brief to be redesigned, revised statutory approvals, including planning permissions, to be obtained and a new tendering process to be undertaken. This process would delay the current project significantly.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that an analysis of the demographic position in the catchment area by my Department indicates that pupil enrolments are projected to remain stable in the coming years. With 18 schools, including the school referred to, serving the catchment area in question, it is not considered necessary to expand the school, referred to, beyond an 8 classroom school. This position has been explained directly by my Department to the school.
162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if time spent teaching in a private school not in the European Union is included under teaching service in the incremental payscale. [40590/16]
View answerThe criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised post-primary teachers under Circular 29/2007 was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council. This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Education & Skills and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.
Circular 29/2007 provides that subject to a maximum credit of seven years overall, the following may be reckoned for the award of credit:-
Whole-time teaching service given in a Non-Member State of the EU and demonstrated by the teacher, to the satisfaction of the Department or Chief Executive Officer of the Vocational Education Committee as appropriate, to be equivalent to approved teaching service may be regarded as approved teaching service for the purpose of this sub-section.
163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to cater for the ever-growing need for primary school places in Newbridge, County Kildare; if he will consider the need for more diverse ethos for such schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40617/16]
View answerMy Department carries out nationwide demographic analyses to determine where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and at post-primary level.
As the Deputy may be aware, the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced in November 2015, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, including those listed for County Kildare, though the various stages of the architectural planning, tender and construction process.
The Programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including for special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. School projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-2016) will also be advanced in the Capital Programme. The Deputy will also be aware that in addition, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for smaller scale projects for schools, where an immediate accommodation need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.
A range of areas nationwide, including many of the school planning areas in Kildare, are experiencing increased demographic pressure and these are being kept under review by my Department. This review takes account of updated enrolment and child benefit data and also the impact of existing and planned capacity increases to schools in these areas.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government reflects the Government's objective of strengthening parental choice and further expanding diversity in our school system. The desire of parents for diversity in education is primarily being pursued by increasing the number of non-denominational and multi-denominational schools with a view to reaching 400 by 2030. The Government is committed to working with all stakeholders to facilitate this process and I am progressing these matters as a priority.
164. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) will have a school needs assessment carried out prior to entering second level school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40618/16]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychological service to all primary and post primary schools through an assigned NEPS psychologist and in some cases through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA), full details of which are in the NEPS section of my Department's website. Under this scheme schools can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.
If there are concerns in relation to the educational development of the child, the subject of the Deputy's question, I would advise, in the first instance, that the child's parents/guardians bring the matter to the attention of the Principal of the school concerned with a view to his/her raising the matter with the assigned NEPS psychologist.
165. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was refused their application for a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40619/16]
View answerThe reason why the student, to which the Deputy refers, did not qualify for grant support was due to the reckonable income being over the limit. This decision was communicated to the student on 12 May 2016.
I understand that the student was in receipt of a Disability Allowance. Under the terms of the scheme, this is treated as an income disregard and was not included in the calculation of reckonable income. Therefore, the assessment was based on her parent’s income only.
While is it open to all applicants to appeal the initial decision to an appeals officer in SUSI, I understand in this instance that the student did not appeal this decision and is now outside of the statutory 30 day timeline for doing so.
166. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a site has been secured by his Department for a permanent school building for a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; the next steps in the process of delivering a new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40656/16]
View answerOfficials in my Department are working closely with officials from Cork County Council under the Memorandum of Understanding in order to acquire a suitable permanent site for the school referred to by the Deputy.
I can confirm that a suitable permanent site has been identified and is being progressed. However, in line with site acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to provide further information due to commercial sensitivities.
Once the permanent site has been acquired, the project to deliver the new school building will advance into architectural planning.
167. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress in identifying and securing a site for a new second level school (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects to commence construction of the new school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40657/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, officials in my Department have been working closely with officials from Cork County Council to acquire a permanent site to meet the needs of the school to which he refers.
A site option is currently being progressed and is at an advanced stage. Due to commercial sensitivities it is not possible to provide further information at this time. However once the site has been secured the project will be progressed to architectural planning.
168. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40679/16]
View answerThe Department of Education and Skills has not used the Government jet since the Minister came into office.
169. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total use his Department has made of the Government jet per annum from March 2011 to February 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40696/16]
View answerMy Department did not make any use of the Government jet from March 2011 to February 2016.
170. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a schedule of all funding allocated to each education centre here with a breakdown of the number of schools, number of teachers, number of pupils, and funding, for each of the past five years, in tabular form. [40712/16]
View answerMy Department is the main source of funding for the Network of 21 full time Education Centres. All funds held by Centres are subject to compliance with the general rules governing bodies in the public sector including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) Circular: 13/2014 Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.
Funding from my Department of circa €18 million goes to Education centres annually through a combination of direct grants and charges levied on Department funded support services. Centres also have other sources of income including, hire of rooms, local partnerships, partnerships with other State bodies.
In addition to direct funding, the salary costs of the Directors who are teachers on secondment are met in full and paid by my Department.
I have provided as an attachment details of the Core and Local Course grants to Centres for each of the past 5 years and the current number of schools by Education Centre Region.
I will arrange for the current numbers of teachers to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
|
Core and Local Course Funding |
|||||
|
Centre |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|
Athlone |
180,746 |
180,746 |
180,746 |
180,746 |
180,743 |
|
Blackrock |
250,834 |
250,834 |
250,834 |
250,834 |
250,834 |
|
Carrick |
191,392 |
191,392 |
191,392 |
191,392 |
191,391 |
|
Clare |
133,402 |
128,402 |
128,402 |
128,402 |
128,399 |
|
Cork |
276,670 |
276,670 |
276,670 |
276,670 |
276,669 |
|
Donegal |
232,158 |
232,158 |
232,158 |
256,908 |
256,905 |
|
Drumcondra |
220,662 |
220,662 |
220,662 |
215,760 |
215,759 |
|
Dublin West |
287,462 |
287,462 |
287,462 |
287,462 |
287,462 |
|
Galway |
214,550 |
214,550 |
214,550 |
214,550 |
214,548 |
|
Kildare |
172,222 |
172,222 |
172,222 |
172,222 |
172,219 |
|
Kilkenny |
195,348 |
195,348 |
195,348 |
195,348 |
195,346 |
|
Laois |
188,196 |
188,196 |
188,196 |
188,196 |
188,194 |
|
Limerick |
396,548 |
396,548 |
396,548 |
396,548 |
396,548 |
|
Mayo |
199,836 |
199,836 |
199,836 |
199,836 |
199,835 |
|
Monaghan |
192,824 |
192,824 |
192,824 |
192,824 |
192,821 |
|
Navan |
215,338 |
215,338 |
215,338 |
215,338 |
215,337 |
|
Sligo |
191,576 |
181,576 |
181,576 |
181,576 |
175,098 |
|
Tralee |
201,554 |
201,554 |
201,554 |
222,701 |
201,552 |
|
Waterford |
206,438 |
206,438 |
206,438 |
206,438 |
206,434 |
|
West Cork |
216,154 |
216,154 |
216,154 |
216,154 |
216,153 |
|
Wexford |
217,678 |
217,678 |
217,678 |
217,678 |
217,678 |
|
Total |
4,581,588 |
4,566,588 |
4,566,588 |
4,607,583 |
4,579,925 |
|
Region |
Primary |
Post Primary |
Total |
|
1 |
548 |
126 |
674 |
|
2 |
460 |
150 |
610 |
|
3 |
415 |
98 |
513 |
|
4 |
713 |
162 |
875 |
|
5 |
661 |
122 |
783 |
|
6 |
578 |
95 |
673 |
|
Total |
3,375 |
753 |
4,128 |
|
Region |
Area |
|
Region 1 |
Drumcondra, Monaghan, Navan |
|
Region 2 |
Blackrock, Dublin West, Kildare |
|
Region 3 |
Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford |
|
Region 4 |
Cork, Limerick, Tralee, West Cork |
|
Region 5 |
Athlone, Clare, Galway, Laois |
|
Region 6 |
Carrick, Donegal, Mayo, Sligo |
171. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the gender balances on each of the State boards under his remit. [40725/16]
View answerInformation on the gender balance on the boards of each of the State agencies under the aegis of my Department is included in the attached table. Comprehensive information on board appointments to agencies under the remit of my Department can also be downloaded from my Department’s website http://www.education.ie.
Board Membership of aegis bodies as of 13 December 2016
|
Board |
No of board places |
Male |
Female |
No of vacancies |
Women as % of total members |
|
An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta |
12 |
6 |
6 |
50 |
|
|
Commission into Child Abuse |
5 |
2 |
3 |
60 |
|
|
Educational Research Centre |
5 |
3 |
2 |
40 |
|
|
Grangegorman Development Agency Board |
15 |
9 |
6 |
40 |
|
|
Higher Education Authority |
19 |
10 |
9 |
47 |
|
|
Irish Research Council |
12 |
6 |
6 |
50 |
|
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE) |
13 |
||||
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) |
25 |
10 |
15 |
60 |
|
|
National Council For Special Education (NCSE) |
13 |
6 |
7 |
54 |
|
|
Léargas |
9 |
6 |
3 |
33 |
|
|
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) |
10 |
5 |
5 |
50 |
|
|
Residential Institutions Redress Board |
11 |
5 |
6 |
55 |
|
|
Residential Institutions Review Committee |
6 |
5 |
1 |
17 |
|
|
Caranua (Residential Institutions Statutory Fund) |
9 |
5 |
4 |
44 |
|
|
Skillnets Limited |
13 |
9 |
4 |
31 |
|
|
SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) |
13 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
36 |
|
State Examinations Commission (SEC) |
5 |
3 |
2 |
40 |
|
|
The Teaching Council |
36 |
21 |
15 |
42 |
172. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a request by a school (details supplied) for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40734/16]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers was approved a devolved grant under my Departments Additional Accommodation Scheme 2016 to provide one Mainstream classroom and one Resource classroom.
The school recently submitted a Stage 1/2A (early design stage) report including a request for additional funding. The school has been given permission to proceed to planning permission stage and to revert to the Department once planning permission has been obtained. This approach will allow any planning permission conditions attaching to be costed in to the overall project costs. A decision on any necessary funding uplift for the project will be taken at that time when all associated costings should be known.
173. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a request by a school (details supplied) for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40735/16]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department has approved funding for the school in question to carry out the works to which he refers. The school authority has been informed of this decision.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a request by a school (details supplied) for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40736/16]
View answerThe school in question applied to my Department for funding under the Emergency Works Grants Scheme to address the issue to which the Deputy refers. The application was assessed and a letter issued to the school authorities requesting further information. Upon receipt and review of this information a decision will be conveyed directly to the school authority.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which parents can continue to source children's school uniforms from traditional suppliers or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40767/16]
View answerWhile under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management is the body charged with the direct governance of a school, I am, as Minister, keen to keep back to school costs as low as possible for parents.
The Action Plan for Education aims to make the Irish education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. This plan outlines hundreds of actions to be implemented across 2016-2019. Some of the actions as part of the plan are to strengthen the focus on reducing costs for parents by:
Restoring capitation funding over a three-year period as resources permit.
Increasing the financial support for book rental schemes, in order to reduce/eliminate school book costs for parents.
Place a requirement within a Parent and Student Charter for Schools to take account of the views of their parental communities when making decisions on matters that have a financial impact for parents and;
Issue a new circular to school authorities and ETBs regarding school uniform policy and other costs and the need to put a greater emphasis on reducing the cost of school uniforms and other costs.
In relation to the proposed new circular regarding school uniform policy and other costs, my Department has recently invited all the main education partners, including the National Parent Councils, to make submissions on the issue.
My Department will now consider those submissions received and the views of the education partners will feed into the development of a new circular. In addition, my Department has also recently received correspondence from the Irish School Wear Association, a body who represent school wear suppliers and manufacturers, and the views of that body will also be considered.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme for County Kildare continues to meet its targets at primary and secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the 6 Year Capital Plan (2016-2021), announced in November 2015, as part of the Government's €2.8 billion schools capital investment programme, details the major school building projects that are scheduled to proceed to tender/construction over the lifetime of the Plan. It is my Department's intention to progress these projects, including those listed for County Kildare, though the various stages of the architectural planning, tender and construction process.
The Programme aims to prioritise new building projects and major extensions, including for special schools, in areas where significant demographic need has been established. School projects that were announced under my Department's 5 Year Plan (2012-2016) will also be advanced in the Capital Programme. The Deputy will also be aware that in addition, the Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for smaller scale projects for schools, where an immediate accommodation need has been identified, such as the appointment of an additional teacher.
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]
View answerMy 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.
