Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
138. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a matter regarding a school (details supplied); if the matter will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12879/20]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school in question received capital grant approval for an extension to their school building and this project is due to commence construction shortly.
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 a 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 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.
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. The school in question will be considered in this context.
