Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
850. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo, for which an application for major capital works has not progressed since 2010; if she will provide a commitment to progress the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20133/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application under my Department's the Major Capital works scheme for a new school building.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department's over-riding objective is to ensure that every child has access to a physical school place and that our school system is in a position to cope with increasing numbers. In that regard, due to competing demands on my Department's capital budget, it has not been possible to progress concurrently all school projects, including the school in question, within the school building programme.
However, I wish to advise the Deputy that where an immediate enrolment need in an area has been identified e.g. the appointment of an additional teacher and where a school's existing accommodation cannot provide for this growth, my Department will be prepared to consider applications by schools for capital funding for additional classrooms mainly on a devolved basis.
