Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
175. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for major extension works for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4073/20]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that an application for major capital funding has been received from the school in question. 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 Project Ireland 2040 period. The school authority's application will be consider under the Project Ireland 2040 capital envelope.
Should the school authority consider that it does not have sufficient capacity, in terms of mainstream teaching accommodation, it is open to them to apply for accommodation under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, details of which are available on my Department's website www.education.ie. The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
