Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2017
139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if approval will be given to proceed with the classrooms in advance of a hall for a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that prefabs are currently costing €40,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12222/17]
View answerIn March 2015 my Department approved a devolved grant for the provision of two mainstream classrooms with en-suite toilets and the conversion of an existing classroom to a multi-purpose room at the school to which the Deputy refers.
The School subsequently submitted an application for funding for a GP room which the school said it would co-fund. In the circumstances, the Department agreed to make a contribution towards the provision of a GP room in addition to the accommodation already approved.
The Board of Management submitted documentation in December 2016 with a projected cost plan well in excess of the approved grant generated, in the main, by the extent of the GP provision the school had planned.
The school was advised in a letter dated 14 December 2016 to scale back the works to be consistent with the scope of works and grant originally approved.
My Department has no difficulty with the project proceeding within the scope of work and grant approved, provided that this course of action is now compliant with all Statutory approvals. It would be prudent for the School Authority to contact my Department's Planning and Building Unit to discuss this matter.
