Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
306. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €20 million allocated to the school building programme as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24314/18]
View answerThe Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan 2016-2021 identified an additional €332m for the school sector over the period 2018 to 2021 of which €20m was included for the sector in Budget 2018. The overall 2018 capital allocation for the school sector including the €20m amounts to just under €540m, together with a capital allocation of €30m in respect of the Digital Strategy for Schools.
The €540m will be expended in 2018 primarily on the delivery of large scale projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. Typically, expenditure of up to 80% of the capital allocation available to schools annually is in respect of the large scale projects and the Additional Accommodation Scheme. The balance available in 2018 will be expended on site acquisitions, emergency works, furniture and equipment provision, and other programmes.
Capital expenditure to date in 2018 on the school building programme amounts to over €185m. In addition, the €30m to support implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools issued earlier this year.
