Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
195. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be added to the major capital schools programme 2016 to 2021; if his attention has been drawn to the scale of works required at the school through rapid expansion of its school enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41803/19]
View answerUnder my Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme approval has been given to the management authority of the school in question for the provision of a 2 classroom SEN Base, 6 mainstream classrooms, GP/Dining area and 1 moderate/mild learning disability classroom and the delivery of this accommodation has been devolved to school authority.
In addition the school referred to by the Deputy has also submitted an application for Roof repairs under my Department's multi-annual Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2020 onwards. I wish to advise the Deputy that commensurate with the level of funding available for the SWS in 2020, applications will be assessed on a top down basis in accordance with the prioritisation criteria outlined in the governing Circular Letter for the Scheme. This Circular Letter (0027/2019) is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
As the Deputy is aware, 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, starting in the second half of the Project Ireland 2040 period.
