James Browne
Question:275. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application by a school (details supplied) for a new building will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30991/18]
View answerTuesday, 10 July 2018
Questions (275)
Written answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the school was advised in August 2016 that my Department is not in a position to provide funding for a school hall due to the necessity to prioritise funding for essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic need.
The Deputy will be aware that under the National Development Plan (NDP), increased funding has been provided for the school sector capital investment programme. This funding allows for a continued focus on the provision of new permanent school places to keep pace with demographic demand and also provides for an additional focus on the refurbishment of existing school buildings to include the building and modernisation of PE facilities in primary and post-primary schools.
Under the Ireland Project 2040, we will invest €8.4 billion (compared to €4.9 billion in the previous decade) in primary and post primary school buildings. This will include the provision of 50 large scale school building projects and 20,000 school places in state of the art new buildings.
The immediate priority of my Department is providing 20,000 new and replacement school places each year, to ensure that every child has a school place. The government will focus in the medium term on the provision of PE facilities in schools.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department recently approved grant to the school for a mainstream classroom and 2 special needs rooms.