Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
445. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to provide funding for the refurbishment of a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the urgent repairs required at the school which are making it a health and safety risk for children and staff; if he will put in place a timeline to have the refurbishments carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1883/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department received an application from the school in question for significant funding to facilitate major reconfiguration works within the school building.
The school's application must be considered in the context of the very significant challenge facing my Department in meeting demand for extra school places to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. All applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the available funding, which must of necessity, be prioritised for this purpose.
My Department is not in a position at this point to indicate when funding might be available for the works sought by the school and has advised the school accordingly.
In the meantime, the school may use its minor works grant, which all primary schools received last November, to carry out repair and refurbishment works in full or on a phased basis as that grant permits, should the school consider them to be a priority.
