Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
447. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the status of the building works applications for modular units in a school (details supplied); the timeline for delivery of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47433/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA 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.
The main focus of the 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. The Department has successfully supported and facilitated the enrolment of over 14,000 children from Ukraine in our primary and post primary schools.
Under Project Ireland 2040 the education sector will receive a total of approximately €5 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.
This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. The strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock will have different strands and will include a PE build and modernisation programme.
The application in question was assessed by my officials and a proposed brief was issued to the school authorities. The proposal was accepted by the school authorities.
The school subsequently requested further additional accommodation. Officials in my Department are currently reviewing this request. Once finalised the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision.
