Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2022
123. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the way that a school (details supplied) can access funding for significant works to be undertaken at the school that would not be covered by the summer works programme or other such programmes appropriate to a school that is now 40 years old. [25052/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme in respect of the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
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. However, under Project Ireland 2040, there will be an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. The Deputy may also be aware of the very significant school building programme that is currently underway. Overall, there are in excess of 1,300 school building projects at various stages of design, planning, and construction.
The application from the school referred to by the Deputy is currently being considered by my officials who have been in contact with the school. A decision on the application will issue to the school authority directly.
