Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
441. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the role her Department has in the operation of the per cent for art scheme as it applies to new school buildings and school extensions funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12141/24]
View answerSince 2020, my department has completed of over 800 school building projects with construction currently underway at approximately 300 other projects, which includes 31 new school buildings.
There are also circa 90 projects currently at the tender stage including a further 28 new school buildings. All of these new school buildings are flagship projects in their area and transform the education infrastructure for those school communities. 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.
The Per Cent for Art scheme is a government initiative, whereby 1% of the cost of any publicly funded capital, infrastructural and building development can be allocated to the commissioning of a work of art. Since 1997 this scheme has been made available to all capital projects across all government departments. The scheme allows people to enjoy and benefit from contemporary art and artists in everyday settings. The Per Cent for Arts Scheme is an important source of Government funding for the arts and enable artists to imagine and create new and ambitious work across all art forms and arts practice areas. Public Art commissioned through the Per Cent for Arts Scheme can be any art form and exist in many different contexts.
My department recognises the importance the opportunity the scheme provides for collaboration between an artist and a local school community. All schools with large scale or additional accommodation building projects are supplied with detailed information on the Per Cent for Art Scheme. Since 2020 in excess of €2.5 million has been provided by my department to school building projects under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. Records in relation to the nature of the works procured under the scheme, including the details of the artist, are held at individual school level.
The current status of all projects, including completed building projects, are listed on a county-by-county basis at www.gov.ie and is updated on a regular basis to reflect their progress through the various stages of capital appraisal, site acquisition, design, tender and construction.
