Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2012
109 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding he expects to be drawn down in respect of schools building projects for each year of the five-year schools building programme; if he expects the amount allocated for 2012 to be fully absorbed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25937/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocations for my Department were set out in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework published last November. The schools sector has an allocation for each of the five years as follows: 2012 —€359.5m; 2013 —€364m; 2014 —€464m; 2015 —€471m; and 2016 —€411m. It is expected that the full allocation for 2012 will be expended by 31 December.
110 Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school construction projects not included in the five-year schools building programme that are currently at Stage 2(b) of the process. [25938/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March I announced details of 219 major school building projects which will begin construction over the next five years. This was in addition to the 56 major school building projects already announced for 2012. Due to financial constraints and the need to prioritise projects which will meet the increasing demographic needs over the coming years, it was not possible to include all projects in the 5 year programme.
There are another 33 major school building projects which were not included in the 5 year programme and which are currently at stage 2(b) of architectural planning. Three of these have completed stage 2(b). School building projects currently in architectural planning, including the projects referred to above, will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department’s capital budget, it is not possible to progress these projects to tender and construction at this time.
