Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
610. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the number of staffrooms funded by her Department in 2020, 2021 and 2022 in second-level schools; the number of applications for staffrooms rejected in each of those years; her views on the provision of adequate staffrooms in schools under her Department's capital expenditure programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12367/23]
View answerThe main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics particularly at post-primary level, and for provision to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. My Department has also successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 14,000 children from Ukraine in our primary and post primary schools.
The provision of staff rooms at post primary level form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings. This is also the case where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school.
Information in relation to the number of staff rooms funded by my Department in 2020, 2021 and 2022 is not readily available. The typical staff room facilities provided are outlined in the Department's design guidelines for new schools. (Ref TGD-023 “Post-primary School Design Guidelines”), published on www.gov.ie.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. There will be a rolling 5 year funding envelope which will be updated annually for the period 2026 to 2030 within the Government’s overall NDP funding envelope of €136 billion in exchequer capital (€165 billion total capital including non-Exchequer) that will facilitate building a modern and sustainable school infrastructure.
Details of large-scale projects being delivered under the school building programme may be viewed on my Department's website at www.gov.ie and this information is updated regularly. In addition, a list of large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date may also be viewed on the website.
