Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 July 2018
228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which extra primary educational requirements are being met in Newtown, County Kildare, in line with that set out by local educational interests and-or the relevant section of his Department in respect of each of the existing primary schools or their replacements; the schedule for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29683/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Capital Programme (2016-2021) continues to address the challenges posed by the significant bulge in pupil enrolments going through our schools. This has seen a significant expansion in the rate of provision of new school places. The Capital Programme details the school projects that are being progressed through the architectural planning process, including those schools in County Kildare. The Capital Programme also provides for devolved funding for additional classrooms, if required, for schools where an immediate enrolment need has been identified or where an additional teacher has been appointed. My Department has recently approved a project to provide four new classrooms for the primary school in Newtown. The project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority.
I wish to advise the Deputy of my announcement in April regarding the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022). This announcement follows nationwide demographic exercises carried out by the Department into the future need for primary and post-primary schools across the country and the 4-year horizon will enable increased lead-in times for planning and delivery of the necessary infrastructure.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has set out on its website at www.education.ie - Building Works, the current status of building projects and this is updated regularly.
