Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 April 2017
185. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review his decision to refuse funding to a school (details supplied) for two extra classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17669/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school referred to applied to my Department for additional accommodation to cater for an increase in enrolments.
The long term projected staffing for this school is for a Principal plus 8 mainstream teachers and, in that regard, a major building project to provide a new 8 classroom building for the school concerned is currently on site.
In considering the school’s request for additional accommodation, to provide for an addition mainstream teacher, it was noted that demographic growth in the area in question is projected to remain stable in the coming years. With 18 schools serving the catchment area, it is not considered necessary for the school in question to expand beyond an 8 classroom school.
As the major project is currently on site it is not possible to include any additional accommodation at this time as any alteration to the floor area would significantly delay the project.
In that regard, the school authority has been advised to manage enrolments so that they do not exceed the capacity of the new school building.
