Paul Donnelly
Question:306. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if a new school building is being considered for a school (details supplied); and can she provide an update. [7831/24]
View answerTuesday, 20 February 2024
Questions (306)
Written answers
I 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.
An ASA application from the school to which the Deputy refers is currently being assessed along with a review of the current situation at the Junior school as they share a site. When this is completed the school authorities will be notified of the decision.
In context of the consideration of a new school building as mentioned by the Deputy. The Department has to priorities its limited capital resources, in the context both of the ongoing requirement for additional school places, including SEN places, and the high construction inflation which has significantly impacted on the cost of projects that we must deliver.
The main focus of the department’s resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €3.5 billion in our schools throughout the country, involving the completion of over 690 school building projects, and with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects.
School building projects at construction involve an overall State investment of over €1.2 billion. We also have 200 modular accommodation projects that are very well advanced for delivery or at construction stage. This is a record level of investment in our schools and highlights the Government’s very strong track record of delivery in providing additional capacity and modern facilities for our school communities.
This significant investment is intended to allow us to move forward with certainty on modernising our school infrastructure with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland.
Officials in my Department will liaise directly with the school authority once the ASA assessment has been complete.