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Education Centre Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Ceisteanna (78)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

78. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the proposal for a new site and building which was submitted by a centre (details supplied) in October 2017 will be approved; if same will be expedited as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23994/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are 21 full time Education Centres.  Their principal activity is to facilitate the local delivery of national programmes of teacher professional development on behalf of my Department. They also organise a varied local programme of activities for teachers, school management and parents in response to demand.  Each Centre has a Management Committee which is elected annually to manage the business of the staff and the centre.

Limerick Education Centre is situated in a building owned by Limerick and Clare ETB. A proposal has been received for the purchase of a new site.

I wish to clarify that the current priority, within the limited funding available, is the provision of essential classroom accommodation in areas where significant demographic need has been established to ensure that each child will have access to a physical school place. You will therefore appreciate that all applications for capital funding must be considered in the context of the existing challenging financial circumstances where funding must be prioritised for this purpose and to provide mainstream classroom accommodation where additional teachers are being appointed.

In this regard, the delivery of new schools together with extension projects to meet future demand will be the main focus of the School Planning and Building Unit’s budget for the coming year.

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