Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 September 2021
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which her Department continues to identify and replace deficient or obsolete school accommodation in all areas throughout Ireland with a view to replacement; the extent of any such programme at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45895/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department has a strong and ambitious rollout of projects under the school building programme to support the operation of the school system.
During the NDP period 2018-2020, there were 526 completed building projects under the Large Scale Capital Programme and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. These projects delivered in excess of 48,000 school places, including permanent accommodation for 229 special classes and additional capacity for 67 classrooms in 14 special schools throughout the country.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and for Special Education Needs accommodation. Nevertheless my Department has also been taking an integrated approach to the replacement of prefabricated units as part of large-scale and devolved projects, or as part of new projects approved under the Additional School Accommodation scheme.
While much progress has been made to date, the continued modernisation of school facilities, including the upgrade and refurbishment of existing school stock, will be a priority for my Department under the forthcoming revised NDP to 2030.
