Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
152. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made in relation to an application by a school (details supplied) for the additional accommodation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34234/20]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of applications from the school in question, for major capital funding for the provision of a PE hall and also for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme.
My Department's current priority within the limited funding available, is the provision of essential classroom accommodation in areas where significant demographic need has been established to ensure that each child will have access to a physical school place. Therefore, all applications for capital funding must be considered in this context.
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 schools.
I can confirm that a devolved grant was approved in November 2017, under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme, to enable the school authority to provide 1 additional SET room. This project is currently devolved to the school authority.
A further application has recently been received under the Additional School Accommodation Scheme and once the application has been assessed, the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
