Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
18. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide funding for necessary work on a school (details supplied), including assessing whether a new school building is needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45018/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received an application, under the Additional School Accommodation scheme, from the school authority in question.
The purpose of the Additional School Accommodation scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
Under Project Ireland 2040, in excess of €5 billion is being invested in the school sector over the period 2021-2025 which will add capacity and develop school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day. This demonstrates the strong support of Government for investment in education.
The application in question was assessed by my officials and provisional approval was issued to the school authorities for the following accommodation:
• Two classrooms for students with special education needs
• A user assisted toilet
• A front entrance door replacement and a new fire door
• A front entrance lobby and fire escape adjustment
This was accepted by the school authorities.
Other issues have also been raised in relation to the existing school building.
In this regard, my Department has received a number of applications from the school for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme. These are being actively progressed and initial approval has been provided to the school to progress the works in line with Department approval, as appropriate. My Department is aware of the time sensitive nature of the works required and will continue to engage with the school in question to advance any necessary works without delay.
The main focus of my Department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The Department of Education has a strong track record of delivery. During the period 2018 to 2022, nearly 900 school building projects were completed under a variety of delivery mechanisms. Some 300 projects are under construction during 2023, of which 40 are new school buildings at a total State investment of over €1 billion. There are a further 72 projects currently at the tender process including 27 new school buildings.
The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing infrastructure will be kept under review as capital funding allocations for future years are clarified.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be engaging with Departments on NDP allocations for the period 2026 to 2028 over the coming months, with allocation decisions expected during the first half of 2024.
In the interim, my Department will continue to engage with the authorities of the school in question with respect to its accommodation needs.
