Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
288. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the details of the schools in the Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 area which are still operating out of portacabins; the plans in place to provide permanent building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22290/22]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that it is the policy of my Department to ensure a high standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population over the last decade or more it is sometimes necessary to put in place interim accommodation solutions to meet the needs of schools. Given the timeframes for the acquisition of suitable sites, design, statutory planning processes, tendering and construction, it is often necessary for newly established schools to commence operation in such interim accommodation.
The school building programme details the school projects that are being progressed under Project Ireland 2040. The current status of large-scale projects being delivered under Project Ireland 2040, including projects in the areas to which the Deputy refers, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In the case of those building projects in the areas in question that have temporary accommodation on site, this will be replaced with permanent accommodation as part of the schools' building project. A list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
The school building programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, including accommodation for pupils with special educational needs, if required, for schools where an additional enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. Details of schools listed on this programme (the Additional Accommodation Scheme) can also be found on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is also updated regularly.
As the Deputy may be aware, it is my Department's intention, in collaboration with City of Dublin ETB (CDETB), to develop two new 1,000 pupil post primary school buildings and permanent accommodation for an eight classroom primary school on the CDETB Whitehall site. The post primary schools will provide circa 1,200 additional co-educational, multi-denominational post primary school places in North Dublin City to meet the demographic need in the area. Additionally, these new school buildings will provide eight classrooms for pupils with special educational needs.
My Department is now initiating the planning process for this strategic development which will include engagement with the relevant stakeholders.
In the meantime, additional interim accommodation is being provided at the post primary school on the Whitehall site to facilitate its continued expansion pending the construction of the new school building. Arrangements are also being made for further accommodation to be provided for the primary school in its current interim facility.
